HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Correspondence: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by TOWFIGHI, J. Articles by McCREE, L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by TOWFIGHI, J. Articles by McCREE, L.

Glue sniffer's neuropathy

From the Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) and Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Medical School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Progressive sensorimotor neuropathy developed in two patients exposed to prolonged (chronic) inhalation of n-hexane (glue sniffing). Sural nerve biopsies showed loss of axons; remaining axons were either normal or showed accumulation of filaments of 90 to 100 A thick, widened nodes of Ranvier, and focal enlargements. The muscle biopsy revealed neurogenic atrophy. Intramuscular nerve twigs and end-plates, studied in one patient, showed loss of axons and nerve terminals. Unmyelinated axons also showed accumulation of 90 to 100 A thick filaments. The similarities between the pathologic findings in the peripheral nerve of these patients and those with acrylamide neuropathy suggest that the n-hexane inhalation produces a dying back neuropathy.

Dr. Towfighi's address is Laboratory of Neuropathology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 447 Johnson Pavilion G2, Philadelphia, PA 19174.

This study was supported by research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NS05712-03-NS05572-10) and National Multiple Sclerosis Society RG889-B-2.

Received for publication March 13, 1975.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. J Crosbie, P. Blain, and F. M Williams An investigation into the role of rat skeletal muscle as a site for xenobiotic metabolism using microsomes and isolated cells Human and Experimental Toxicology, March 1, 1997; 16(3): 138 - 145. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Y. Lolin Chronic Neurological Toxicity Associated with Exposure to Volatile Substances Human and Experimental Toxicology, July 1, 1989; 8(4): 293 - 300. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. D. King Neurological Sequelae of Toluene Abuse Human and Experimental Toxicology, July 1, 1982; 1(3): 281 - 287. [Abstract] [PDF]

				V. Rowell and P.J.W. Wood A health education approach to solvent abuse Health Education Journal, January 1, 1981; 40(2): 41 - 45. [Abstract] [PDF]

				H. Schaumburg and P. Spencer Environmental hydrocarbons produce degeneration in cat hypothalamus and optic tract Science, January 13, 1978; 199(4325): 199 - 200. [Abstract] [PDF]