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Equilibrium disorders with diffuse brain atrophy in long-term toluene sniffing

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Summary

A Japanese male who became habituated to sniffing toluene exhibited ataxia, tremor, incoordination and equilibrium disorders. There was pendular nystagmus with a normal caloric response. There were an inhibition of optokinetic nystagmus and a failure to follow over 0.1 Hz sine waves on eye tracking test. Angiogram and pneumoencephalogram revealed an atrophy of the midbrain and cerebrum, and degeneration of the cerebellum was suspected.

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Psychological tests were performed by Dr. Y. Kitamura, Dept. of Psychology, Kyoto University, Thanks are due to M. Ohara for preparing this manuscript.

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Sasa, M., Igarashi, S., Miyazaki, T. et al. Equilibrium disorders with diffuse brain atrophy in long-term toluene sniffing. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 221, 163–169 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01886291

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01886291

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