MR Imaging in Solvent-Induced Chronic Toxic Encephalopathy

Thuomas, K.-Å.; Möller, Claes; Ödkvist, Lars; Flodin, Ulf; Dige, Niels

doi:10.1177/02841851960371p136

Cited by 22 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 11 publications

(14 reference statements)

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“…Anatomical studies of solvent exposure in humans have shown diffuse atrophy in the cerebellar regions, brainstem, frontal cortex, and PC (Keski-Santti et al 2009; Rosenberg et al 2002; Thuomas et al 1996). Most of these anatomical findings were nonspecific, and some included the frontal and parietal regions where we found evidence of functional deficits.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although anatomical studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) have detected structural changes, these have typically been seen only in subjects with severe solvent exposures, such as workers diagnosed with chronic toxic encephalopathy (Ellingsen et al 1993; Thuomas et al 1996) or organic solvent abusers (Filley et al 1990; Rosenberg et al 1988; Unger et al 1994; Yamanouchi et al 1995). Moreover, many of these studies suffered from poor characterization of exposure, confounding, inability to determine dose response, and biased subject selection (Ridgway et al 2003).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Occupational Solvent Exposure and Brain Function: An fMRI Study

Tang

Carpenter²,

Eaves³

et al. 2011

Environ Health Perspect

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Background: Deficits in cognitive function have been demonstrated among workers chronically exposed to solvents, but the neural basis for these deficits has not been shown.Objectives: We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare pathophysiological changes in brain function between solvent-exposed and control workers.Methods: Painters, drywall tapers, and carpenters were recruited from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 9 in New York City and District Council 21 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and from the Carpenters Union in New Jersey. Twenty-seven solvent-exposed and 27 control subjects of similar age, education, and occupational status completed the N-Back working memory test during fMRI. After controlling for confounders (age; lifetime marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol use; blood lead; symptoms of depression; verbal intelligence), voxelwise group analysis and regional activation levels were compared and then correlated with an index of lifetime solvent exposure.Results: Solvent-exposed workers’ performance on the N-Back was significantly worse than that of controls. Activation of the anterior cingulate, prefrontal, and parietal cortices—areas serving working memory function and attention—was also significantly lower for solvent-exposed workers relative to controls. After controlling for confounders, we observed a negative correlation between lifetime solvent exposure and activation in these same regions among the solvent-exposed workers.Conclusions: This study is one of the few to document neural structures affected by exposure to solvents. Our findings provide a biological mechanism for the neurobehavioral deficits in working memory and attention that have previously been reported by other groups studying the effects of chronic exposure to solvents. These imaging markers, which are consistent with the neurobehavioral measures in our subject population, are consistent with altered brain pathology caused by prolonged exposure to solvent mixtures during construction work.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational Solvent Exposure and Brain Function: An fMRI Study

Tang

Carpenter²,

Eaves³

et al. 2011

Environ Health Perspect

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“…The authors concluded that long-term exposure to solvent concentrations not exceeding permissible occupational limit values does not cause increased brain atrophy. In an MRI study on chronic toxic encephalopathy, findings observed on T2-weighted images were patchy periventricular hyperintensities and hypointensities in the basal ganglia (59). Several studies have shown that CT and MRI can be useful in detecting atrophic changes in the frontal lobes and cerebellum as well as white-matter lesions after exposure to certain solvents (69).…”

Section: Neurological Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of radiology in occupational medicine

Vehmas

2004

Acta Radiol

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This review discusses the contribution of radiology to occupational medicine as well as work-related problems in radiology departments. Research issues are emphasized. Radiology has been used especially when diagnosing occupational respiratory and locomotive system problems and solvent-induced encephalo- and hepatopathy. The aim of research in these areas is usually to characterize occupational diseases and to identify physico-chemical hazards in the work place by comparing between groups of workers and non-exposed controls. Radiological imaging allows an objective characterization of the disease, and it may clarify the pathogenesis of the process and provide a useful epidemiological tool. Advanced statistical methods are often needed to adjust analyses for confounding variables. As the diagnostic requirements are increasing, more sensitive and sophisticated radiological methods, such as high-resolution computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, may be required for the early recognition of occupational health risks. This necessitates good cooperation between occupational health units and well-equipped imaging departments. Considering occupational problems in radiology departments, the increasing use of digital radiology requires ergonomic measures to control and prevent locomotive problems caused by work with computers. Radiation protection measures are still worth concern, especially in interventional radiology.

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“…Studies using structural MRI in populations of adults with solvent encephalopathy have reported diffuse atrophy in the frontal and parietal cortices, cerebellum and brainstem regions (Keski-Santti, et al 2009,Thuomas, et al 1996). To date, there have been no published MRI studies of individuals with subtle toxicant-induced brain changes due to solvent exposure during adulthood or early life.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging in an adult cohort following prenatal and early postnatal exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-contaminated drinking water

Janulewicz

Killiany

White

et al. 2013

Neurotoxicology and Teratology

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This population-based retrospective cohort study examined Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain in relation to prenatal and early postnatal exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-contaminated drinking water on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Subjects were identified through birth records from 1969 through 1983. Exposure was modeled using pipe network information from town water departments, a PCE leaching and transport algorithm, EPANet water flow modeling software, and Geographic Information System (GIS) methodology. Brain imaging was performed on 26 exposed and 16 unexposed subjects. Scans were acquired on a Philips 3T whole body scanner using the ADNI T1-weighted MP-RAGE scan. The scans were processed by FreeSurfer version 4.3.1 software to obtain measurements of specific brain regions. There were no statistically significant differences between exposed and unexposed subjects on measures of white matter hypointensities (β: 127.5 mm3, 95% CI: −259.1, 1514.0), white matter volumes (e.g. total cerebral white matter: β: 21230.0 mm3, 95% CI: −4512.6, 46971.7) or gray matter volumes (e.g. total cerebral gray matter: β: 11976.0 mm3, 95% CI: −13657.2, 37609.3). The results of this study suggest that exposure to PCE during gestation and early childhood, at the levels observed in this population, is not associated with alterations in the brain structures studied.

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MR Imaging in Solvent-Induced Chronic Toxic Encephalopathy

Cited by 22 publications

References 11 publications

Occupational Solvent Exposure and Brain Function: An fMRI Study

Occupational Solvent Exposure and Brain Function: An fMRI Study

Role of radiology in occupational medicine

Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging in an adult cohort following prenatal and early postnatal exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-contaminated drinking water

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