Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-ndw9j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-12T22:00:15.344Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Lead encephalopathy secondary to petrol inhalation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Maria Morgan ,
John Owens  and
Prega Pillay
John Owens
Affiliation:
St Davnet's Hospital, Monaghan, Ireland.
Prega Pillay
Affiliation:
Consultant Physician, Monaghan General Hospital, Ireland.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Lead encephalopathy is a relatively rare medical condition. It can present with multiple seizures, delirium, blindness, aphasia and dementia. Usually it is due to environmental exposure. This paper describes a case of delayed diagnosis of lead encephalopathy secondary to petrol sniffing which responded to chelating agents therapy. A high index of suspicion must be maintained to diagnose this treatable cause of encephalopathy.

Keywords

Solvent abuseLead encephalopathyDeliriumPetrol sniffing
Type
Case Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 16 , Issue 4 , December 1999 , pp. 149 - 150
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Gilllfillan, SC. Lead poisoning and the fall of Rome. J Occ Med 1965; 7: 53–60.Google Scholar
2.Needleman, HL. Clamped in a straitjacket. Env Resources, 1997; 74(2): 95–103.Google Scholar
3.Lishman, WA. Organic Psychiatry: the psychological consequences of cerebral disorder. 2nd Ed. London: Blackwell Scientific, 1987.Google Scholar
4.Needleman, HL. The persistent threat of lead: medical and sociological issues. Current Prob Paediatrics 1988; 18(12): 697–744.Google ScholarPubMed
5.Korolenko, CP. Data for a comparative account of toxic psychoses of various aetiologies. Br J Psychiat 1969; 115: 273–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Boeckx, RI, Postl, B, Coodin, FJ. Gasoline sniffing and tetraethyl lead poisoning in children. Paediatrics 1977; 60: 140–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Brown, A. Petrol sniffing lead encephalopathy. New Zealand Med J 1983; 96: 421–2.Google ScholarPubMed
8.Law, WR, Nelson, ER. Gasoline-sniffing by an adult: Report of a case with the unusual complication of lead encephalopathy. JAMA 1968; 204(11): 1002–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Tenenbein, ML. Leaded gasoline abuse: the role of tetraethyl lead. Hum Exp Tox 1997; 16(4): 217–22.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed