Abstract
A case of transverse myelitis in a 25-year-old patient was described. The transverse myelitis was caused by toxic cause, probably as a result of benzene poisoning. This diagnosis was based on:
1. The differential diagnosis.
2. The patient's occupation.
3. The abnormal high urinary phenol levels.
4. The coincidence of decreasing urinary phenol values with an amelioration of the clinical condition of patient.
After consulting the literature, we think that this case of transverse myelitis based on a benzene poisoning is the first ever described.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Browning, E (1965). Toxicity and metabolism of industrial solvents. Elsevier, pp. 1-65.
Carpenter, C (1949). The assay of acute vapor toxicity and the grading and interpretation of results on 96 chemical compounds. Journal of Hyg. Toxicol., 31, 343–346.
Greenburg, L (1939). Benzen poisoning in the rotogravure printing industry in New York City. Journal of Indian hyg. toxicol., 21, 395–420.
Gerarde, H W (1959). Toxicological studies on hydrocarbons. Archives of Industrial Health, 19, 403–418.
Gerarde, H W (1960). Toxicology of aromatic hydrocarbons. Elseviers Monographs.
Hine, C H (1954). Toxicological studies on p-tertiary-butyltoluene. Archives of Industrial Health, 9, 227–244.
Lauwereys, R (1972). Précis de Toxicologie industrielle et des intoxications professionnelles. Duculot Gembloux, pp. 231-247.
Plunkett, E R (1966). Industrial Toxicology. Chemical Publishing Company, New York, pp. 44-45.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Herregods, P., Chappel, R. & Mortier, G. Benzene poisoning as a possible cause of transverse myelitis. Spinal Cord 22, 305–310 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1984.49
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1984.49