Regional Cerebral Blood Flow at the Time of Diagnosis of Chronic Toxic Encephalopathy Induced by organic-solvent Exposure and after the Cessation of Exposure

• Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment ＆ Health Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 130 - 135
• Main Authors: Hagstadius, Stefan, Ørbæk, Palle, Risberg, Jarl, Lindgren, May
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Finland Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment ＆ Health 01-04-1989; National Institute of Occupational Health (Sweden); Institute of Occupational Health (Finland); National Institute of Occupational Health (Denmark); National Institute of Occupational Health (Norway)
• Subjects: Adult; Alcohol related disorders; Blood flow; Brain; Brain - drug effects; Brain - physiopathology; Brain Damage, Chronic - chemically induced; Brain Damage, Chronic - physiopathology; Cerebral hemispheres; Cerebrovascular Circulation - drug effects; Chemical hazards; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Inhalation; Male; Middle Aged; Neuropsychology; Occupational Diseases - chemically induced; Occupational Diseases - physiopathology; Referents; Solvents; Solvents - adverse effects; Toxic encephalopathy; exposure discontinuation; toxic solvents; brain dysfunction; cerebral circulation; psychoorganic syndrome
• ISSN: 0355-3140; 1795-990X
• DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.1872

Regional cerebral blood flow was measured in patients with the diagnosis of chronic toxic encephalopathy induced by exposure to organic solvents. Measurements were made at the time of diagnosis and 24—84 months after the cessation of exposure. During the follow-up the patients were carefully examined for other possible causes of brain dysfunction. Comparisons were made to unexposed and solvent-exposed referents. At the first examination the patients had a 7 % lower mean flow level than the unexposed referents and a 5 % lower level than the exposed workers. The largest flow differences were seen in the frontotemporal areas. At the follow-up, the difference in the mean flow level between the patients and referents was no longer significant. Regionally, the flow had increased, especially in areas which initially showed the most pronounced decreases. There was a significant negative correlation between the initial cerebral blood flow level and the degree of normalization of the flow level at follow-up.