[Neurologic and psychiatric manifestations of lead poisoning in adults (case report and review of the literature)].

A 59-year-old potter presented with lead polyneuropathy after 37 years of occupational exposure. There was a 25-year history of normochromic normocytic anaemia with moderate basophilic stippling, mild renal failure, hyperuricaemia and abnormal porphyrins. Since 1964 three short psychotic episodes were noted. Cranial computed tomography showed extensive bilateral symmetrical calcification in the cerebellar hemispheres and slight calcification in the subcortical area of the cerebral hemispheres and basal ganglia. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging disclosed high signal intensities in the periventricular white matter, basal ganglia, insula, posterior thalamus and pons. Differential diagnostic aspects are discussed with special regard to CT and MRI findings. A review of the literature on neurological and psychiatric manifestations of lead intoxication in adults is given.