1/5. movement disorders possibly induced by traditional chinese herbs.The authors describe the neurological presentation and CT/MRI findings in 4 patients exposed to overdoses of decoctions of two different Chinese herbs. Case 1, a 15-year-old boy, ingested herba serissae along with the safe-dosage salvia miltiorrhiza for treating a left renal stone. sophora subprostrata root (SSR) was primarily used for treating three other diseases: viral B hepatitis in case 2, a 9-year-old boy; infection of the throat and a low fever in case 3, a 11-year-old girl, and a minor facial infection in case 4, a 12-year-old boy. All patients showed complex neurological manifestations primarily including convulsions, mental changes and dystonia syndromes. Their CT and/or MRI revealed abnormal density lesions in the striatum and globus pallidus bilaterally. They excluded the possibility of Wilson's disease in each of the 4 patients and suggested that overdosage of SSR and herba serissae could cause intoxications of the central nervous system, particularly damage to the basal ganglia. Chemically, coumarin (case 1) and matrine and oxymatrine (cases 2-4) in the two medicinal herbs are suggested to be possibly responsible for the morbidity.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = intoxication (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/5. Chronic exposure to the fungicide maneb may produce symptoms and signs of CNS manganese intoxication.manganese (Mn) poisoning, a well-known hazard in miners and industrial workers, shares many features with Parkinson's disease. Two young agricultural workers with a parkinsonian syndrome, who mentioned exposure to the fungicide maneb (manganese ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate), led us to investigate a new possible source of Mn intoxication. Fifty male rural workers with occupational exposure to maneb were compared with 19 rural workers without fungicide exposure. We noted significantly higher prevalence of plastic rigidity with cogwheel phenomenon, headache, fatigue, nervousness, memory complaints, and sleepiness in the exposed group. In addition, we saw other neurologic signs, such as postural tremor, cerebellar signs, and bradykinesia, although without statistical significance. The data suggest that occupational exposure to pesticides containing Mn is a possible source of Mn intoxication of the CNS.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6keywords = intoxication (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/5. Pontoneocerebellar hypoplasia--a probable consequence of prenatal destruction of the pontine nuclei and a possible role of phenytoin intoxication.The autopsy findings of a 21/2-year-old microcephalic, mentally retarded girl, with tetraparesis, and dysmorphic features are reported. Neuropathologic findings, typical of the ponto-neocerebellar hypoplasia described by Brun [1917], suggest that this abnormality was the result of a prenatally acquired destruction of the pontine nuclei, with a secondary retrograde degeneration of the dentatopontine tract. The possible role of phenytoin, taken by the mother during pregnancy, is discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 4keywords = intoxication (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/5. Pseudoperiodic bilateral EEG paroxysms in a case of phencyclidine intoxication.A 23-year old white man presented an acute PCP intoxication. His EEG showed a monomorphic nonreactive generalized theta rhythm which is the typical activity of PCP overdose. This background was interrupted by periodic bilaterally synchronous high voltage slow paroxysms similar to those described in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. This unusual finding supports the hypothesis that PCP may act by reversible deafferentation of cortical neurons.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = intoxication (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/5. Persisting neurologic sequelae of lithium carbonate therapy.Persisting neurologic damage rarely follows lithium salt therapy. We encountered two cases and found 15 others in the literature. There are usually signs of damage at multiple sites in the nervous system, but cerebellar features tend to be most prominent. The patient's sex and age, the lithium ion dosage, and the maximum blood levels of lithium ion do not correlate well with the persistence of damage. Individual susceptibility may be important. Severe lithium ion intoxication may occur in the first one or two months after the drug is introduced but can arise even after several years of satisfactory maintenance therapy at a constant dosage. infection, dehydration, deteriorating renal function, or the addition of other drugs to the regimen may precipitate acute toxicity. Neurologic damage can occur despite low plasma levels of lithium ion. The patient's clinical state may be the best indication of intoxication.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = intoxication (Clic here for more details about this article) |