PURPOSE: Electrophysiological evaluation of the visual function of patients with toxic neuropathy caused by toluene abuse. METHODS: Fifteen patients (mean age 25.6 years, eight men and seven women) were diagnosed with bilateral optic neuropathy. Pattern visual evoked cortical potentials (PVECPs) and clinical symptoms were investigated. RESULTS: Visual acuities at the initial visit were less than 0.1 in 5 cases and 0.1-1.0 in 10 cases. PVECPs were followed up in the 15 cases. At the first recording, PVECPs were nonrecordable in both eyes of 11 cases, the P100 peak latency was prolonged in both eyes of 3 cases, and only 1 case showed a normal P100 peak latency. After treatment, visual acuities improved more than 2 lines in 6 cases, 3 of whom showed normal P100 peak latency in the PVECPs. Visual prognosis and PVECP changes were identical in both eyes of all patients. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with toluene optic neuropathy, the P100 peak latency of PVECP shortened as visual acuity improved. The VECP abnormalities in these patients suggest that there is a severe effect on the optic nerve after prolonged exposure to toluene.
PURPOSE: Electrophysiological evaluation of the visual function of patients with toxic neuropathy caused by toluene abuse. METHODS: Fifteen patients (mean age 25.6 years, eight men and seven women) were diagnosed with bilateral optic neuropathy. Pattern visual evoked cortical potentials (PVECPs) and clinical symptoms were investigated. RESULTS:Visual acuities at the initial visit were less than 0.1 in 5 cases and 0.1-1.0 in 10 cases. PVECPs were followed up in the 15 cases. At the first recording, PVECPs were nonrecordable in both eyes of 11 cases, the P100 peak latency was prolonged in both eyes of 3 cases, and only 1 case showed a normal P100 peak latency. After treatment, visual acuities improved more than 2 lines in 6 cases, 3 of whom showed normal P100 peak latency in the PVECPs. Visual prognosis and PVECP changes were identical in both eyes of all patients. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with tolueneoptic neuropathy, the P100 peak latency of PVECP shortened as visual acuity improved. The VECP abnormalities in these patients suggest that there is a severe effect on the optic nerve after prolonged exposure to toluene.
Authors: Anna Ghelli; Anna Maria Porcelli; Claudia Zanna; Sara Vidoni; Stefano Mattioli; Anna Barbieri; Luisa Iommarini; Maria Pala; Alessandro Achilli; Antonio Torroni; Michela Rugolo; Valerio Carelli Journal: PLoS One Date: 2009-11-19 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Thiago Leiros Costa; Mirella Telles Salgueiro Barboni; Ana Laura de Araújo Moura; Daniela Maria Oliveira Bonci; Mirella Gualtieri; Luiz Carlos de Lima Silveira; Dora Fix Ventura Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-08-15 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Valerio Carelli; Flavia Franceschini; Silvia Venturi; Piero Barboni; Giacomo Savini; Giuseppe Barbieri; Ettore Pirro; Chiara La Morgia; Maria L Valentino; Francesca Zanardi; Francesco S Violante; Stefano Mattioli Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2007-01 Impact factor: 9.031