Neurological examination, computerized tomography, cerebral blood flow and neuropsychological examination in workers with long-term exposure to carbon disulfide

Abstract

Sixteen males, formerly exposed to carbon disulfide (CS2) for at least 10 years (mean 20 years), were administered a neurological examination, cerebral computerized tomography (CT), regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) examination and neuropsychological examination. The clinical neurological examination revealed abnormalities in 15; cerebral CT showed signs of atrophy in 13; and neuropsychological examination indicated brain organic changes in 13. With the rCBF examination, slight abnormalities were found in 8. The findings indicate that long-term exposure to CS2 involves a risk of developing toxic encephalopathy, demonstrable on both neurological and neuropsychological examination. Furthermore, structural changes in the brain may be demonstrable by cerebral CT.