Neurological complications of endemic skeletal fluorosis, with special emphasis on radiculo-myelopathy

Abstract

The results of surveys carried out between 1976 and 1985 in the fluorosis-endemic area of the Ethiopian Rift Valley is summarised, with emphasis on the neurological complications resulting from the crippling osteofluorosis. The neurological manifestations in the forms of myelopathy with and without radiculopathy (respectively 72%o and 28%) occurred after exposure to high fluoride (> 4 ppm) for longer than 10 years. These deficits were clearly found to be a consequence of resulting in generalised sclerosis and osteophytosis, with reduction in the diameter of the intervertebralforamina and of the spinal canal. Advanced osteosclerosis commonly causes severe spastic quadriparesis in flexion, accompanied by distressing spasms and urinary incontinence. The dilemma of these medical problems in relation to the agro-industrial economic developments of the Ethiopian Rift Valley is discussed. © 1990 International Medical Society of Paraplegia.