Related Experiment Videos
Chronic trichloroethylene intoxication: a new approach by trigeminal-evoked potentials?
Archives of Environmental Health
|September 1, 1987
Summary
Chronic trichlorethylene intoxication can impair the trigeminal nerve. Abnormal trigeminal somatosensory evoked potentials (TSEP) can objectively assess risk, even without clinical signs of nerve damage.
Area of Science:
- Neurotoxicology
- Occupational Medicine
- Clinical Neurology
Background:
- Chronic trichlorethylene intoxication (TRI) is associated with trigeminal nerve impairment.
- Assessing the extent and objectivity of this impairment is crucial for occupational health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate trigeminal nerve function in occupationally exposed subjects.
- To evaluate the utility of trigeminal somatosensory evoked potentials (TSEP) in detecting and assessing TRI-related nerve damage.
Main Methods:
- Clinical examination of 104 occupationally exposed subjects.
- Trigeminal somatosensory evoked potentials (TSEP) testing in exposed and 52 healthy control subjects.
- Correlation analysis with exposure parameters (duration, urinary trichlorethanol, and trichloracetic acid).
Main Results:
- Facial hypoesthesia was observed in exposed subjects, primarily affecting mandibular and maxillary nerve areas.
- Disturbed TSEP findings were present in 40 subjects, correlating with clinical symptoms.
- Correlation with exposure parameters was strongest in subjects with both clinical and electrical alterations.
Conclusions:
- Abnormal TSEP can objectively indicate trigeminal nerve damage from trichlorethylene exposure.
- TSEP provides a valuable tool for risk assessment, particularly in the absence of overt clinical symptoms.
- This highlights the potential for subclinical neurotoxicity in occupational settings.