Clinical and electrophysiological features and treatment of acrylamide-induced toxic peripheral neuropathy

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical manifestations, electrophysiology results, treatment and prognosis of acrylamide-induced toxic peripheral neuropathy. Methods: The clinical data of 9 patients with acrylamide-induced toxic peripheral neuropathy, who were collected in Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital from January 2015 to August 2018, were retrospectively reviewed. Results: This disease was characterized by distal limb numbness, some patients with hypoalgesia or allergy, deep sense loss, reduction or disappearance of tendon reflexes, and peeling. One case had muscle weakening and another case had cerebellar ataxia. Examination of electromyography showed only one case had spontaneous potential. Examination of nerve conduction showed that the amplitude decreased by 34 (38.6%) and the velocity decreased by 2 (2.3%) , the percentage of amplitude decreased was significantly higher than that of velocity decreased. The amplitude of sensory nerve decreased by 30 (57.7%) and motor nerve decreased by 4 (11.1%) , the percentage of sensory nerve amplitude decreased was significantly higher than that of motor nerve. After the treatment of nutrition, circulation improvement, numbness relief, glucocorticoid and other drugs, the numbness of the patients was relieved, but it did not completely disappear. Poor recovery of pain, deep sensation and tendon reflex in all patients. The results of reexamination of electromyography in 3 cases were worse than before. Therefore, it is suggested that peripheral nerve damage is irreversible. Conclusion: This disease is characterized by distal limb numbness. Electrophysiological results suggest that the damage of sensory nerve axon is the main cause of the disease. Up to now, there is no effective drug to treat this disease, therefore, it is very important to do a good job of protection.