Leukodystrophies
Aug. 25, 2024
MedLink®, LLC
3525 Del Mar Heights Rd, Ste 304
San Diego, CA 92130-2122
Toll Free (U.S. + Canada): 800-452-2400
US Number: +1-619-640-4660
Support: service@medlink.com
Editor: editor@medlink.com
ISSN: 2831-9125
Toll Free (U.S. + Canada): 800-452-2400
US Number: +1-619-640-4660
Support: service@medlink.com
Editor: editor@medlink.com
ISSN: 2831-9125
Worddefinition
At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas.
Arsenic toxicity has predominately been the result of suicidal or homicidal ingestion of massive quantities of arsenic. However, in India and Taiwan, the presence of arsenic in drinking water has made the problem endemic. There is also the risk of developing neurotoxicity, primarily peripheral neuropathy, from therapeutic use of arsenic for acute promyelocytic leukemia (23). In this article, the authors discuss the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of acute and chronic arsenic poisoning. The focus of the article is on the effects of arsenic on the peripheral nervous system.
• Although arsenic is more commonly known for intentional poisonings in homicides or suicides, the most common etiology of arsenic toxicity worldwide is ingestion of contaminated drinking water in endemic areas. | |
• As with other heavy metal intoxications, the neuropathy related to arsenic is rarely seen without other systemic manifestations, including abdominal pain and skin changes. | |
• Arsenic neuropathy causes painful paresthesias and, with higher level or continued exposure, length-dependent weakness. |
Arsenic is a metallic compound known for its use as a poison in both homicides (39) and suicide attempts, where the usual case is massive acute exposure. However, toxicity can also result from chronic low-grade exposure. Occupational exposure may occur in the smelting of lead and copper ore (07), mining, and in the manufacture of integrated circuits or microchips. Other potential sources include contaminated well water (20; 28), tainted illicit drugs (02), arsenic-contaminated fossil fuels, high arsenic-containing coal (22), or the burning of preserved wood (35). Trivalent arsenate has greater human toxicity than pentavalent arsenate.
Reports have demonstrated a large-scale problem in Bangladesh and India due to groundwater contamination, causing exposure to become endemic (36; 37; 28; 04; 05). In these areas, a high proportion of individuals (10% to 20%) examined have evidence of arsenical toxicity. Of those with toxicity, peripheral neuropathy is a common finding (37% to 87%) (36). This group of patients represents the largest cohort reported to date with arsenic toxicity. Similarly, a report from Taiwan indicates that individuals living in areas with groundwater contamination are at markedly increased risk for abnormalities of nerve function (41).
Suspicions of arsenic poisoning have been advanced for a number of historical figures, including several United States presidents. Arsenic levels from the exhumed remains of Zachary Taylor measured in 1991 were found to be insufficient to cause death. Arsenic was a treatment for various disorders in earlier eras in various tonics and in Chinese herbs. It has been implicated in cases of traditional medication-related toxicity in India (42). Arsenic is still in use against acute promyelocytic leukemia, for which neuropathy has been reported as a complication (38; 21).
Nearly 3,000 illustrations, including video clips of neurologic disorders.
Every article is reviewed by our esteemed Editorial Board for accuracy and currency.
Full spectrum of neurology in 1,200 comprehensive articles.
Listen to MedLink on the go with Audio versions of each article.
MedLink®, LLC
3525 Del Mar Heights Rd, Ste 304
San Diego, CA 92130-2122
Toll Free (U.S. + Canada): 800-452-2400
US Number: +1-619-640-4660
Support: service@medlink.com
Editor: editor@medlink.com
ISSN: 2831-9125