Clinical and imaging features of 1, 2-dichloroethane toxic encephalopathy

ZHANG Weiqing; MENG Xuelian; YANG Fen; WAMG Kehua; SONG Chen; SHI Jin

Abstract：ObjectiveTo explore the clinical and neuroimaging features of toxic encephalopathy induced by 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE).MethodsThe clinical, CT/MRI features and treatment of one patient with toxic encephalopathy induced by 1,2-DCE were observed and analyzed retrospectively.ResultsThe woman presented a subacute onset. The main neurological manifestations were severe intracranial hypertension and whole brain injury symptoms. The symptoms included headache, vomiting, conscious disturbance, memory deterioration, delayed reaction and understanding, calculation power deterioration and thyroid hypofunction. Cranial MRI/CT showed diffused encephaledema and brain swelling, vague sulcus, shallow sulcus and cistern and narrow ventricles. MRI showed T1WI low signals and T2WI high signals in bilateral hemispheric white matter, cerebellar dentate nucleus and globus pallidus. Lesions appeared as hypodensity on CT. The patient's conditions worsened after the dehydrating agent was withdrawn because lumbar cerebrospinal fluid pressures became normal during the treatment. After the full dose and long-term treatment with the dehydrating agent, glucocorticoid and supportive treatment, the patient improved a great deal. After a follow-up of 6 months, the patient recovered completely.ConclusionToxic encephalopathy induced by 1,2-DCE shows long-term severe encephaledema, effective control of which is critical to prognosis.