MR imaging in solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Radiology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Chronic exposure to industrial solvents can lead to central nervous system (CNS) symptoms.
• Understanding the neuroimaging findings associated with solvent intoxication is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To utilize Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging to investigate patients presenting with CNS symptoms suggestive of chronic solvent intoxication.
• To identify specific neuroimaging biomarkers indicative of solvent-induced neurotoxicity.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-two individuals with a history of industrial solvent exposure (5-28 years) underwent MR brain examinations.
• Forty age-matched healthy individuals served as controls for comparison.
• T2-weighted imaging sequences were employed to assess brain tissue signal characteristics.

Main Results:

• All patients exposed to solvents exhibited decreased signal intensity in the basal ganglia on T2-weighted MR images.
• Diffuse white matter hyperintensities and loss of grey-white matter differentiation were observed in 11 patients.
• Distinct periventricular hyperintensities were noted in 5 patients, while control subjects showed no pathological brain changes.

Conclusions:

• MR imaging, particularly T2-weighted sequences, can detect abnormalities in patients with chronic solvent intoxication.
• Observed findings include patchy periventricular hyperintensities and basal ganglia hypointensities, indicative of neurotoxic effects.
• Fast spin-echo techniques offer efficient image acquisition with reliable contrast for evaluating solvent-induced brain changes.