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Syndromes of toluene sniffing in adults

Academic Article
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Overview

authors

  • Streicher, H. Z.
  • Gabow, P. A.
  • Moss, A. H.
  • Kono, Dwight
  • Kaehny, W. D.

publication date

  • 1981

journal

  • Annals of Internal Medicine  Journal

abstract

  • Clinical and laboratory findings in 25 adults, ages ranging from 18 to 40 years, who were hospitalized for problems related to paint sniffing are presented. All but one were chronically unemployed. Three different patterns of symptoms led to hospitalization: muscle weakness (n = 9), gastrointestinal complaints including abdominal pain and hematemesis (n = 6) and neuropsychiatric disorders including altered mental status, cerebellar abnormalities, and peripheral neuropathy (n = 10). Hypokalemia (n = 13), hypophosphatemia (n = 10), hyperchloremia (n = 22), and hypobicarbonatemia (n = 23) were common. The average serum potassium and phosphorus concentrations of 1.7 mmol/L and 1.5 mg/dL were significantly lower in the muscle weakness group than in the other two groups. Rhabdomyolysis occurred in 10 patients. Hyperchloremic acidosis was found in 19 of 22 patients evaluated. The muscle weakness and gastrointestinal syndromes resolved within 1 to 3 days with abstinence from sniffing and repletion of fluid and electrolyte stores. Inhalation of paint or glue vapors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the symptoms and laboratory findings described above.

subject areas

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases
  • Kidney Tubules
  • Male
  • Muscular Diseases
  • Nervous System Diseases
  • Pregnancy
  • Solvents
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Syndrome
  • Toluene
  • Water-Electrolyte Imbalance
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Identity

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0003-4819

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.7326/0003-4819-94-6-758

PubMed ID

  • 7235417
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Additional Document Info

start page

  • 758

end page

  • 762

volume

  • 94

issue

  • 6

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