Neurotological Findings in 35 Patients Who Seemed to Have Toluene Toxicosis

Abstract

In recent years some youngsters have been indulging in what is called thinner inhalation, posing a serious social problem. Organic solvents have also been widely used industrially as adhesives or degreasing and rinsing agents, generating a kind of occupational disease which has become a medical problem. Furthermore, some schoolchildren who refuse to go to school complaining of headache, head heaviness, blurred vision, diplopia, dizziness, or equilibrium disturbances, may actually have toluene toxicosis caused by the adhesive they use in constructing plastic models. The authors examined 35 such patients neurotologieally and found some impairment in the cerebellar cortex, cerebellar nuclei, or efferent pathways. This report is presented to invite comments from other researchers. © 1986, The Society of Practical Otolaryngology. All rights reserved.