Focal conduction block in n-hexane polyneuropathy

Muscle Nerve. 1998 Jul;21(7):964-9. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199807)21:7<964::aid-mus21>3.0.co;2-p.

Abstract

A 19-year-old man with an asymptomatic history of recreational gasoline vapor inhalation presented with subacute progressive quadriparesis. For 2 weeks, he had intensely inhaled Coleman fuel oil vapor, which contains n-hexane. Nerve conduction studies including near-nerve needle stimulation showed focal conduction block in the bilateral median and ulnar nerves. Sural nerve biopsy was consistent with giant axonal neuropathy. Conduction block as seen in this case has not heretofore been described in n-hexane polyneuropathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Electromyography
  • Hexanes / administration & dosage
  • Hexanes / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / innervation
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Neural Conduction / drug effects*
  • Polyneuropathies / chemically induced*
  • Polyneuropathies / physiopathology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / physiopathology
  • Sural Nerve / pathology
  • Sural Nerve / physiology
  • Ulnar Nerve / physiology

Substances

  • Hexanes
  • n-hexane