ABSTRACT
Carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication is a leading cause of the variable neuropsychiatric impairment. Despite of widely known central nerve system complications after CO intoxication, peripheral neuropathy due to CO poisoning is rare and has been under-recognized. We report interesting case of a 29-year-old male who suffered from motor weakness and sensory abnormalities in his lower extremity following acute CO intoxication. The patient revealed direct and indirect signs of peripheral neuropathy of the left inferior gluteal and sciatic nerve on magnetic resonance imaging.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Carbon Monoxide , Carbon , Lower Extremity , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases , Poisoning , Sciatic Nerve , Sciatic NeuropathyABSTRACT
Carbon monoxide(CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-irritating gas whose relative density is a little less than that of air. The most common sources of CO in deaths are fires, automobile exhaust, defective heaters, and incomplete combustion of burning products, such as charcoal briquets. CO is produced whenever organic materials are burned with inadequate supply of oxygen necessary to produce complete combustion. The CO poisoning is one of the most common causes of death in developing and underdeveloped countries. Almost fatal CO poisoning cases, mostly accidental or suicidal deaths occur in enclosed or restricted place nearby fuel-burning heating appliances. However, this case occurred in very unusual place away from the heating appliances due to faulty chimney duct. Because of a peculiar place, it is difficult to imagine the cause of death as a CO poisoning. Deaths from CO inhalation can occur if the individual is in proximity to a rich source of CO for a prolonged time. Therefore, even though men dies away from the heating appliance, it is necessary to bear in mind the possibility of CO poisoning.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Burns , Carbon Monoxide Poisoning , Carbon Monoxide , Carbon , Cause of Death , Charcoal , Fires , Heating , Hot Temperature , Inhalation , Oxygen , Poisoning , Specific Gravity , Vehicle EmissionsABSTRACT
A 36-year-old man was brought unconscious to the emergency room; he suffered anoxic brain damage due to carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication, and had decerebrate rigidity clinically and died 1 month later after the acute insult. Computed tomography with contrast enhancement failed to show a brainstem lesion but the brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) demonstrated the brainstem involvement. The BAEP can be used as an objective diagnostic aid for evaluating brainstem lesions in CO intoxication.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Brain Stem/physiopathology , Carbon Monoxide Poisoning/physiopathology , Evoked Potentials, AuditoryABSTRACT
Twenty cases of peripheral neuropathy as sequelae of carbon monoxide intoxication have been analyzed clinically. The incidence of pheripheral neuropathy was 0.84% in a total of 2,360 cases and 3.64% in 549 admitted cases of carbon monoxide intoxication. The ratio of male to female was 1:1.2 (9:11). Their ages ranged from 17 to 52 years (mean 29.5 years), with a peak incidence in the 3rd decade (55%). The lower extremity was exclusively involved, and the left side was more involved than the right. Symptoms were a burning sensation, tingling sensation, shooting pain and weakness. Other associated sequelae were local swelling, acute renal failure, delayed neurologic sequelae, and Volkman's contracture in that order. Of 20 cases, 6 showed abnormal findings in the electromyogram only, and 14 were abnormal in both electro-myogram and nerve conduction velocity. Fifteen cases recoved within 3 to 6 months.