Acute organic solvent toxic encephalopathy: A case report and literature review

Wang,Yinjiao; Du,Peng

doi:10.3892/br.2024.1851

Acute organic solvent toxic encephalopathy: A case report and literature review

Authors:
- Yinjiao Wang
- Peng Du
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Affiliations: Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221000, P.R. China
Published online on: September 3, 2024 https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2024.1851
Article Number: 163
Copyright: © Wang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Organic solvents are a class of volatile, lipophilic substances that can easily enter the human body through skin and mucous membrane contact as well as air inhalation, and can lead to toxic encephalopathy (TE), especially after entering the lipid‑rich nervous system. The present case reports a patient with acute organic solvent toxic encephalopathy (AOSTE), which may have been caused by occasional ink leakage from Xuzhou (Jiangsu, China). By summarizing the history the patient to exposure to organic solvents, clinical manifestations, radiology findings and relevant laboratory tests, we hypothesize that a history of ink exposure, brain magnetic resonance imaging findings and hippuric acid testing were indispensable factors in the diagnosis of AOSTE. After neurological treatment, the patient experienced notable improvement in symptoms. The present study reports on its clinical features, imaging features, treatment and follow‑up, and review relevant literature to summarize its clinical experience, hoping to improve our understanding of AOSTE.

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