Citation

Sevim S, Aktekin M, Dogu O, Öztürk H, Ertas M. Can. J. Neurol. Sci. 2003; 30(1): 75-78.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences)

DOI

10.1017/s0317167100002493

PMID

12619790

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Organophosphate intoxication can cause some well-known life threatening acute neurological complications such as seizures, paralysis, neuromuscular and cardiac conduction disorders. Less often, a predominantly motor and delayed axonal neuropathy can occur. This syndrome is due to inhibition of neuropathy target esterase.
CASE REPORT: A 30-year-old woman attempted suicide by drinking approximately 1,000mg/kg dimethyl-2,2-dichloro vinyl phosphate (DDVP). After a muscarinic and cholinergic syndrome lasting four days, she developed a purely motor distal axonal polyneuropathy on the fifth week after ingestion confirmed by electroneuromyography and sural nerve biopsy. Neurological examination and electroneuromyography revealed a slight recovery at the end of the 21st month.
CONCLUSION: This case of late onset polyneuropathy caused by organophosphate intoxication had unusual features such as intact sensory nerves and worse prognosis when compared to previously reported cases.

Language: en

Keywords

Action Potentials; Adult; Depressive Disorder, Major; Dichlorvos; Electromyography; Electrophysiology; Female; Humans; Insecticides; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Motor Neurons; Neural Conduction; Neurons, Afferent; Polyneuropathies; Suicide, Attempted; Sural Nerve