First epileptic seizure induced by occupational nickel poisoning

Epilepsia. 2005 Jun;46(6):961-2. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2005.70004.x.

Abstract

Toxic causes of seizures are numerous: alcohol and other substances of abuse, drugs, and industrial and household products. However, in the absence of a clearly suggestive history and/or associated symptoms and signs, identification of the toxic origin of new-onset seizures may be extremely difficult. We report here the case of a patient admitted in our hospital after a single generalized tonic-clonic seizure. The remarkable coincidence that a colleague of his, with whom he was working to clean the same workshop, had been admitted 1 week earlier for respiratory distress, coma, and de novo nonconvulsive focal status epilepticus, led us to consider a possible toxicologic etiology. Urine analysis revealed a high nickel concentration, suggestive of acute nickel poisoning.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Epilepsy / chemically induced*
  • Epilepsy / urine
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nickel / poisoning*
  • Occupational Diseases / chemically induced
  • Occupational Diseases / diagnosis
  • Occupational Diseases / urine
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Poisoning / diagnosis
  • Poisoning / urine

Substances

  • Nickel