Exposure to industrial solvents and brain atrophy. A retrospective study of pneumoencephalographic findings among 37 patients with exposure to industrial solvents.

Pneumoencephalographic (PEG) findings of 37 patients referred to the Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, because of suspected chronic organic solvent intoxication showed changes suggesting brain atrophy in 64% of the patients. Slight asymmetric central and slight local cortical atrophy were the most common findings. There were no significant difference between those considered having heavy exposure and those with less significant exposure either in regards to PEG findings or other neurological findings. Thus, lack of dose-response relationship in this study suggests nonspecificity of the slight PEG findings and possibly also individual susceptibility to neurotoxic agents.