Persistent Visual Hallucinations Secondary to Chronic Solvent Encephalopathy: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Overview

Journal J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry

Publisher BMJ Publishing Group

Specialties Neurology
Neurosurgery
Psychiatry

Date 1983 Jan 1

PMID 6842206

Citations 1

Authors

K S Channer

S Stanley

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

A case of solvent encephalopathy presenting with persistent visual hallucinations, and characterised by a diffusely abnormal EEG and delayed visually evoked responses to checkerboard pattern reversal (VERs), is described. Abnormalities in the EEG and VERs showed minimal improvement over many months of abstinence from glue sniffing. The literature on the neurological sequelae of solvent abuse is reviewed.

Citing Articles

Visual hallucinations. Clinical occurrence and use in differential diagnosis.

Cummings J, Miller B West J Med. 1987; 146(1):46-51.

PMID: 3825109 PMC: 1307180.

References

Knox J, Nelson J . Permanent encephalopathy from toluene inhalation. N Engl J Med. 1966; 275(26):1494-6. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM196612292752608. View

Massengale O, Glaser H, LELIEVRE R, DODDS J, KLOCK M . PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGIC FACTORS IN GLUE SNIFFING. N Engl J Med. 1963; 269:1340-4. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM196312192692503. View

Press E, DONE A . Solvent sniffing. Physiologic effects and community control measures for intoxication from the intentional inhalation of organic solvents. II. Pediatrics. 1967; 39(4):611-22. View

Litt I, Cohen M . "Danger . . . vapor harmful": spot-remover sniffing. N Engl J Med. 1969; 281(10):543-4. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM196909042811009. View

Bass M . Sudden sniffing death. JAMA. 1970; 212(12):2075-9. View

Taylor 4th G, Harris W . Cardiac toxicity of aerosol propellants. JAMA. 1970; 214(1):81-5. View

BAERG R, KIMBERG D . Centrilobular hepatic necrosis and acute renal failure in "solvent sniffers". Ann Intern Med. 1970; 73(5):713-20. DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-73-5-713. View

OBrien E, YEOMAN W, Hobby J . Hepatorenal damage from toluene in a "glue sniffer". Br Med J. 1971; 2(5752):29-30. PMC: 1795901. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.2.5752.29. View

Herskowitz A, Ishii N, Schaumburg H . N-hexane neuropathy. A syndrome occurring as a result of industrial exposure. N Engl J Med. 1971; 285(2):82-5. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM197107082850204. View

10.

Berg E . Retrobulbar neuritis. A case report of presumed solvent toxicity. Ann Ophthalmol. 1971; 3(12):1351 passim. View

11.

Wyse D . Deliberate inhalation of volatile hydrocarbons: a review. Can Med Assoc J. 1973; 108(1):71-4. PMC: 1941124. View

12.

Prockop L, Alt M, Tison J . "Huffer's" neuropathy. JAMA. 1974; 229(8):1083-4. View

13.

POWARS D . Aplastic anemia secondary to glue sniffing. N Engl J Med. 1965; 273(13):700-2. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM196509232731307. View

14.

Goto I, Matsumura M, Inoue N, Murai Y, Shida K . Toxic polyneuropathy due to glue sniffing. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1974; 37(7):848-53. PMC: 494793. DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.37.7.848. View

15.

Shirabe T, Tsuda T, Terao A, Araki S . Toxic polyneuropathy due to glue-sniffing. Report of two cases with a light and electron-microscopic study of the peripheral nerves and muscles. J Neurol Sci. 1974; 21(1):101-13. DOI: 10.1016/0022-510x(74)90110-5. View

16.

Cohen S . Glue sniffing. JAMA. 1975; 231(6):653-4. View

17.

Korobkin R, Asbury A, Sumner A, Nielsen S . Glue-sniffing neuropathy. Arch Neurol. 1975; 32(3):158-62. DOI: 10.1001/archneur.1975.00490450038004. View

18.

KELLY T . Prolonged cerebellar dysfunction associated with paint-sniffing. Pediatrics. 1975; 56(4):605-6. View

19.

Oliver J, Watson J . Abuse of solvents "for kicks". A review of 50 cases. Lancet. 1977; 1(8002):84-6. DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(77)91092-3. View

20.

Altenkirch H, MAGER J, Stoltenburg G, Helmbrecht J . Toxic polyneuropathies after sniffing a glue thinner. J Neurol. 1977; 214(2):137-52. DOI: 10.1007/BF02430351. View