Case Report: Long segmental lesions of the spinal cord caused by exposure to xylene
- PMID: 37396768
- PMCID: PMC10313390
- DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1121421
Case Report: Long segmental lesions of the spinal cord caused by exposure to xylene
Abstract
Xylene has the potential to cause nervous system disturbances since it is a lipophilic substance with high affinity for lipid-rich tissue, such as the brain. Involvement in the spinal cord, especially long segmental spinal cord lesions that permeate almost the entire cervical and thoracic spinal cord, is extremely rare. We report two cases of occupational exposure to excessive xylene, both of which presented with severe and rapidly progressive numbness and weakness in the limbs that, more importantly, led to poor outcomes: one died and the other was left severely disabled. In both, spinal magnetic resonance imaging showed long segmental lesions in the cervicothoracic spinal cord. These findings may provide some insights into the effects of xylene as an isolated agent on the spinal cord injury.
Keywords: case report; long segmental lesions; occupational exposure; spinal cord; xylene.
Copyright © 2023 Du, Chen, Shi and Zhou.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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