[Solvents and injuries of the nervous system]

Currently, there is an ongoing debate on the extent of neurotoxic effects caused by organic solvents. A brief review of relevant scientific literature on human exposure to organic solvents and their effects on the nervous system therefore seems useful. Clinical studies of solvent abusers, pathological-anatomical studies, and epidemiological studies of workers exposed to organic solvents are summarized and discussed. The occurrence of acute and subacute effects on the nervous system caused by organic solvents is well documented. Evidence of the occurrence of chronic disease in the nervous system caused by organic solvents is rather limited, and reversibility has been described even in cases with serious dysfunction. Exposure to organic solvents ought to be prevented as far as possible, because of the reduced quality of life induced by acute and subacute effects. However, physicians are advised to exercise care in the diagnostic procedure of these patients and to search for differential diagnoses.