Smell impairment in workers occupationally exposed to cadmium.

ENT and olfactometric examinations were carried out on 73 workers at an electrochemical plant involved in the production of cadmium-nickel batteries, where cadmium fumes were emitted into the workplace. Exposure levels exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations by about 1-2 times. The controls included 43 non-exposed, age- and cigarette-smoking-matched people. The olfactometric tests were carried out by the blast injection method, using natural coffee, aniseed, lemon and mint oils; two threshold measurements were assessed: maximum perceptible odour (MPO) and minimum identifiable odour (MIO). In addition, blood chemistries and urinalysis were carried out. The study revealed the smell lesion in 45.2% of the exposed group vs 4.6% of the controls. A statistically significant correlation between olfactory dysfunction and cadmium concentrations in the blood and urine was found; however, no correlation with the duration of employment was observed. It seems most likely that cigarette smoking, which is a considerable source of cadmium, may intensify this dysfunction, hence heavy smokers should not work in conditions of cadmium exposure.

Olfactory disorders induced by cadmium exposure: a clinical study.

The evaluation of olfaction is not only widely applied and undeniably valuable in clinical diagnostics but it is also of interest to industrial medicine. It should be borne in mind that in certain workplaces, particularly in the chemical industry, the olfactory receptor has to act as an organ which warns the worker against threatening intoxication, and this is possible only when it functions properly. Cadmium, as a highly toxic metal, found widely in industry and in the environment, is frequently included in the list of chemicals known to cause olfactory impairment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate olfaction in workers occupationally exposed to cadmium. The correlation between olfaction and concentrations of cadmium in urine, blood and in the workplace air as well as employment duration was examined in workers of the "CENTRA" S.A., an electrochemical plant in Poznan. In this plant cadmium-nickel batteries are produced, and there is chronic occupational exposure to cadmium in quantities exceeding maximum allowable concentration (MAC). A group of 73 workers aged 20 to 60 years (42.0 +/- 18.0), employed from 4 to 24 years (12.5 +/- 8.5) were examined. Of the 73 workers who completed the evaluation, 53 people (72.7%) were smokers (10-40 cigarettes per day). In addition to medical history, medical and ENT examinations, blood and urine tests were taken and olfactometry performed. Olfactometry was performed according to Elsberg and Levy's method, modified by Pruszewicz, in which natural coffee as well as aniseed, lemon and mint oils were used. The quantitative and qualitative olfactory disorders were evaluated on the basis of the established odor detection threshold (ODT) and odor identification threshold (OIT). The examinations revealed numerous cases of hyposmia (26.0%) and parosmia (17.8%) and one case of anosmia (1.4%). In the majority of people with olfactory disorders, hypertrophic changes in the nasal mucosa, dependent on the duration of employment, were identified. Statistically significant relationship between olfactory impairment and cadmium concentration in blood, urine and the workplace air was observed. However, such a relationship was not found in regard to the duration of employment. The study indicated the need to carry out routine olfactometries. The results of these examinations could be the ground to perform certain preventive and therapeutic procedures.

[Thrombosis of the sigmoid sinus and transverse sinus with an unusual course]. / Zakrzep zatoki esowatej i poprzecznej o nietypowym przebiegu.

A case of intracranial complication in patient with cephalgia and short period of the temperature without signs of sharpening chronic otitis is reported. At the time of the operation epidural abscess of fossa cranial posterior, perisinusal abscess and thrombus of sigmoid sinus, abscess in transverse sinus were found.

[Malignant thymoma with symptoms of myasthenia gravis]. / Grasiczak zlosliwy z objawami nuzliwosci miesni.

The rare case of malignant tumor of thymus--Thymoma malignum was described. The initial diagnosis was difficult, because of the irregular symptoms of myasthenia gravis. The diagnostic difficulties, treatment and clinical features of this neoplasm were also discussed.