[Neuropathologic and toxicologic study of 12 cases of bismuth encephalopathy]

Examination of twelve cases of bismuth encephalopathy showed a constantand marked elevation of the bismuth levels in autopsy cerebral tissue (ranging from 2-8 mg/kg to 25 mg/kg). These values were found to be much higher than the last-measured Bismuth venous blood values. In every case, periveinular lymphocytic infiltration and abundant intra-cytoplasmic lipofuscin were seen. The microanalysis with Castaing's electrode revealed the presence of focal areas of bismuth in the leptomeningeal spaces. The significance of the lesions is not fully established and it will undergo further investigations.