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Biomedical subjects

H Langauer-Lewowicka

Publications and source records attributed to H Langauer-Lewowicka.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Nailfolds capillary abnormalities in polyvinyl chloride production workers.

In an unselected group of 120 Polish employees of a PCV production plant, nailfold capillaroscopic as well as general medical examination and some laboratory investigations (serum paper electrophoresis, IgA, IgG, IgM immunoglobulin concentration) were performed. Capillary abnormalities were seen in 48 persons (40%). No correlation with the length of occupational exposure, age and immunoglobulin concentration was found. The most frequent capillary patterns were the following: spastic changes with atonic component (18X) with giant Raynaud's loops in 10 of them, discrete spastic abnormalities (15X), scleroderma-like picture (12X) with a prevalence of short scattered capillaries and disarrangement of polarity. The percentage of persons with capillary abnormalities in this study (40%) is very similar to results described by Maricq (1976, 1978) in England (39.5%) and in the USA (36%).

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Vinyl chloride disease-neurological disturbances.

In a plant producing vinyl chloride by the emulsion method 200 workers who were exposed to vinyl chloride for 1 to 25 yr (mean 14), 58 (i.e. 29%) were free of complaints and nervous disturbances. An astheno-autonomic syndrome was found in 54 (i.e. 27%) and in 88 (i.e. 44%) in combination with positive neurological findings, i.e. pyramidal syndromes (in 52), cerebellar disturbances (in 38), trigeminal neuropathy (in 24) and extrapyramidal symptoms (in 3), in various combinations - pyramidal + cerebellar in 12, trigeminal + pyramidal in 7, trigeminal + cerebellar in 5. Headaches (48%), nervousness (26%), decrease in physical strength (16%), loss of memory (14%), sleeping disturbances and somnolence were the most frequent complaints. Scleroderma-like skin changes were found in ten subjects, but only six of them had any neurological disturbances. Occupational exposure to vinyl chloride was lower in workers without neurological findings. Frequency of the arterial hypertension was the same in both groups, whereas acroparesthesias, Raynaud's syndrome, and increased gamma GTP serum activity were significantly more frequent in workers with neurological disturbances. Sixty-two per cent of the neurologically positive group and only 24% of the negative group reported euphoric or narcotic states after exposure. This probably indicates episodic exposures to high concentrations of vinyl chloride. This difference points to a possibility that neurological disturbances may be related to short exposures to peak concentrations. The neurological injury may be both a direct neurotoxic effect of vinyl chloride and secondary to vascular disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Correlation of psychological and neurological changes with indicators of exposure of workers in a shoe factory to glue solvents].

In the group of 349 women exposed to organic solvents, chiefly extraction naphtha, n-hexane and toluene, medical examinations were carried out. Among them the 100 persons without signs of chronic intoxication were selected. In this group the following examinations were performed: Graham-Kendall's and Bender's psychologic tests, electroencephalograms, testing motor conduction of peripheral nerves. In the exposed and control groups urinary phenol and hippuric acid content was determined. Air solvents concentration at work environment was also measured. Within the examined group, psychologic tests score was as follows: 37 persons without organic changes, 28 on the border-1 and of the norm, 35 with cortical organic changes. No significant difference in average urinary phenol and hippuric acid content was found in 3 groups mentioned above. The hippuric acid excretion in the exposed group was significantly higher than in the control one. Hippuric acid in workers with normal and abnormal electrocardiograms was at the same level. No difference in the hippuric acid concentration in groups with normal and slowed nerve conduction velocity was noticed. The urinary phenol content in the exposed and control groups was at the same level. At some work posts extraction naphtha and toluene concentration exceeded MAC. Cortical organic changes and subclinical neuropathy were significantly more frequent in workers exposed to high concentrations of extraction naphtha and toluene. The authors suppose that subclinical signs, detectable by means of psychologic and neurophysiologic methods, may be considered as early symptoms of individual reaction to organic solvents.

Adhesives↗
PubMed1982

[Chronic toxic encephalopathies].

The aim of this report is to present the clinical picture of some chronic occupational encephalopathies and evolution of neurological disturbances. Of 177 diagnosed encephalopathies, 103 were induced by heavy metals (Mn, Hg, Pb) and 48 by organic solvents. Of 200 persons exposed to vinyl chloride, neurological sings were found in 26 cases. In mangenose poisoning heavy encephalopathy with pyramidal and extrapyramidal disturbances proved to be progressive, in mercury chronic intoxication cerebellar symptoms and sensitive neuropathy were the most frequent. In some cases these neurological changes were either persistent or progressive or regressive. In chronic lead poisoning slight pyramidal and deliberative signs and sensitive polyneuropathy seemed to be the most typical. Chronic encephalopathy due to organic solvents was mostly subacute at the beginning, then a variety of clinical symptoms as well as partial or total regression were observed. Slight cerebellar signs and trigeminal sensitive neuropathy were the most frequent neurological findings in those exposed to vinyl chloride.

Basal Ganglia Diseases↗