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Results for “GLUE SNIFFING”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1996

Medical complications of glue sniffing.

Glue sniffing refers to the deliberate inhalation of volatile solvents, commonly found in adhesives, for the purpose of intoxication. The increasing prevalence of inhalant use suggests that many physicians will encounter a glue-sniffing patient at some time during their practice. Knowledge of the epidemiology, toxicology, and medical complications associated with glue sniffing is essential in obtaining an accurate history of substance abuse and in clinically managing these patients. This review of sources is intended to aid clinicians in the recognition of glue-sniffing patients and in the diagnosis of acute and chronic medical complications associated with the abuse of glues, solvents, and related substances. Glue sniffing has been linked to sudden death and chronic damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, peripheral nerves, and brain. Inhalant abuse in general is associated with mortality and morbidity, including social, educational, and economic deprivation in adolescents and young adults.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1985

Neurophysiological signs of brain damage due to glue sniffing.

Recordings of the brain electrical responses to pattern reversal (checkerboard) visual stimuli showed significantly increased latencies in a group of 12 young people who had been sniffing glue over a prolonged period. Only small improvements were observed in two people who had repeat recordings after 6 months' abstinence. These results show that chronic glue sniffing can lead to long lasting brain damage.

Adhesives↗

PubMed1977

Heroin addicts with a history of glue sniffing: a deviant group within a deviant group.

Sociodemographic, drug-taking history and psychological test data were collected from 133 male heroin addicts in treatment programs. Those addicts who had ever sniffed glue (26.4%) were characterized by a unique orientation toward death. Not only were they significantly more likely to have attempted suicide, but also they more often fantasized about death both while on heroin and when clean, and they acknowledged less fear of the pain/deterioration involved in dying as measured by the Collett-Lester Scales. In addition, they had on the average abused more than twice as many different substances as addicts without a glue use history.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Chronic glue sniffing with transient central hypothyroidism and hypergonadotropism.

Neuropsychiatric, gastrointestinal and muscular disorders associated with glue sniffing have been widely reported, but endocrinologic abnormalities of glue exposure are rarely mentioned in the literature. We report a 26-year old male patient, a chronic glue sniffer, who presented with weakness of both lower limbs. On physical examination, he had reduced muscle strength of his 4 limbs, especially in his lower limbs. Laboratory examination revealed hypokalemia with hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. His thyroid function showed low TSH, T4, T3, free T4 and reverse T3 level. Other pituitary functions were normal apart from high FSH and LH level. TSH response to TRH stimulation was normal, but there was impaired T3 response to TRH. MRI of pituitary showed no significant changes. He continued glue sniffing after discharge. He repeatedly came to our hospital for recurrent hypokalemic paralysis. His serum T4 and free T4 level were low when he had certain amount of glue sniffing and it returned to normal after he stopped sniffing or sniffed less amount of glue. His serum T3 concentrations were normal most of the times thereafter. His FSH and LH level were persistently elevated, even after he did not sniff glue for 2 weeks. Low free T4, TSH and reverse T3 level associated with glue sniffing in our patient were compatible with central hypothyroidism. Toluene, a neurotoxic organic solvent, is present in glues. Being highly lipophilic, it can easily enter and is retained within the lipid-rich nervous system after being inhaled. Like other organic solvents, toluene has been shown to affect dopaminergic and adrenergic turnover within various parts of the brain. The effects on these neurotransmitters could lead to abnormal secretion of pituitary hormones resulting in transient central hypothyroidism and abnormal gonadotropin levels. Long-term harmful effect of central hypothyroidism and chronic influence of abnormal gonadotropins to reproduction function needs further observation.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody-mediated glomerulonephritis due to glue sniffing.

A 16-year-old girl developed rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and renal failure. The disease was associated with high titres of antiglomerular basement membrane antibodies in serum, linear deposits of immunoglobulin G and diffuse epithelial crescents on renal biopsy. Past history revealed heavy smoking and deliberate sniffing of Pattex glue, a mixture of hydrocarbons which possibly may affect the structure of glomerular basement membrane. After treatment by repeated plasmapheresis and drug immunosuppression autoantibodies disappeared from serum but renal function was not influenced. Renal damage is a potential hazard for glue sniffing adolescents.

Adhesives↗

PubMed2003

[A case of toxic hepatitis induced by habitual glue sniffing].

The link between toxic hepatitis and exposure to organic solvents is relatively well-documented, but there are no specific laboratory or histologic findings diagnostic of chemical-induced hepatitis. Clinical history, therefore, is very important in making a diagnosis. A history of glue sniffing is sometimes overlooked and glue sniffing has not received much attention as a cause of hepatitis. Toluene, a main organic solvent in glue, is known to cause disturbances in various organs such as the heart, nervous system, liver and kidneys. We present a case of hepatitis in an individual who has sniffed glue for euphoria for 3 years. There is an increasing tendency towards glue sniffing among young adolescents today, so toxicity caused by exposure to organic solvents should be considered as one possible cause of hepatitis in young adolescents.

Adhesives↗

PubMed1989

[Manifestations of glue sniffing in secondary school students].

The habit of glue sniffing among pupils has been noted recently. Most sniffers are experimental consumers who seek pleasure and conditional paradise through glue sniffing. An epidemiological investigation carried out in three secondary schools in Rijeka, by means of a questionnaire, showed that among 2254 pupils, aged 14-18 years, 15.2 per cent of the boys and 11 per cent of the girls were sniffers. According to the results of the investigation the pupils who sniffed were more inclined to take up smoking or drugs than those who did not sniff (p less than 0.005). Among the boys who sniffed only 14.7 per cent were non-smokers. The percentage of non-smokers among the girls was 15.2.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Glue-sniffing neuropathies.

The commonly used term for solvent abuse, glue sniffing, generally encompasses a variety of substances, including spray paint, thinners, nail varnish remover, gasoline, marking pens, and lighter fluids. Inhaled vapours eventually reach the lipids in the nervous system, where they can be stored for long periods. In three cases of glue-sniffing-related neurotoxicity, the peripheral nervous system was affected in two cases and predominantly the central nervous system in the third. Unfortunately follow up is difficult with this patient population and symptoms are often complicated by alcohol abuse.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Long-term glue sniffing: report of six cases.

OBJECTIVE: Glue is cheap and readily available, and is frequently misused, especially by adolescents. Long-term effects of regular use, in terms of the psychiatric symptoms and cognitive function, have rarely been reported, however. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the psychiatric symptoms and the results of cognitive tests for six long-term glue sniffers admitted to a psychiatric ward. RESULTS: Our results suggest that long-term abuse of these adhesive products is often associated with violent behavior and/or self-mutilation. Functional deterioration, characterized by impairment of intelligence, was noted for most of the patients, with some developing psychosis. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic glue sniffing may cause functional deterioration, and even psychosis. The associated violent behaviors in long-term glue sniffers also warrant caution.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

Glue sniffing neuropathy.

Three young men are described in whom a severe, subacute, predominantly motor peripheral neuropathy resulted from the deliberate inhalation of glue vapour. Weakness began after several years of daily glue sniffing and was marked in proximal as well as distal muscles. Muscle wasting was prominent at the time of presentation. Deterioration continued for several weeks after glue sniffing ceased. Peripheral nerve conduction was markedly slow and there was extensive denervation in the muscles. Characteristic changes were seen on sural nerve biopsy. The habit of glue sniffing is now widespread amongst Australian adolescents and this factor should be considered when any young person presents with a peripheral neuropathy.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Oliguric acute renal failure due to glue-sniffing. Case report.

A 38-year-old male developed acute oliguric renal failure following repeated glue sniffing for about 8 hours. In addition, he had severe liver cell injury, mild myonecrosis and bone marrow depression indicating generalized tissue toxicity. The high urinary spot sodium during the oliguric phase and the total renal functional recovery after a period of oliguria followed by polyuria favoured a diagnosis of acute toxic tubular necrosis causing acute renal failure. Toluene which is used as the solvent is presumably the toxic agent involved in glue sniffing. It is advised that toluene inhalation be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute renal failure especially in the young. Literature on the renal toxicity of toluene is briefly reviewed.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

PubMed1999

[Polyneuropathy due to glue-sniffing intoxication. Report of a case].

We report a case of a 24 years old female who presented a glue sniffing neuropathy. Symptoms began with progressive weakness which initially involves the lower extremities. Neurological examination noted a decreased Achille reflexes. Nerve conduction studies showed a slowing nerve conduction velocities, a delayed F waves and distal latencies and diffuse nerve conduction blocks. The disease continued to worsen beyond two weeks after stopping intoxication with persistent evidence of ongoing demyelination. 40 days later we have noted an improvement in nerve conduction velocities and in conduction blocks, neuropathy is the most frequent glue sniffing complications, there is a clinic and electric improvement of the polyneuropathy after stopping intoxication.

Adult↗

PubMed1978

Environmental and behavioral aspects of glue sniffing in a population of emotionally disturbed adolescents.

The following study used an eight question survey to explore some ecological and behavioral dimensions of glue sniffing in a population of emotionally disturbed adolescents. The results indicated that peer-based pressure was a dominant motivational aspect for engaging initially in glue-sniffing behavior. In addition, a significant number of adolescents in this survey revealed a trend toward experiencing unpleasantness with continual use.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1974

Toxic polyneuropathy due to glue sniffing.

Four cases of toxic polyneuropathy due to glue-sniffing were reported. Neurological examination revealed motor predominant mixed type polyneuropathy. The cause of polyneuropathies in these cases was considered to be due to the inhalation of the vaporized elements of the adhesive agent, which contain mainly n-hexane and toluene. N-hexane is considered to be chiefly responsible for the polyneuropathy, though toluene also could have some influence on the illness.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Glue sniffing deaths in Singapore--volatile aromatic hydrocarbons in post-mortem blood by headspace gas chromatography.

Over a period from 1983 to 1991, of a total of 19,000 post-mortems, 33 were found to have at least one aromatic hydrocarbon (benzene, toluene or xylenes) in the blood. Of the 33 deceased, 22 had a history of toluene or petrol abuse while most of the remaining 11 were suspected to be glue sniffers through evidence found at the scene. This number, which represented 0.17 per cent of all the unnatural deaths, is considered small for a nation having a glue sniffing epidemic. The low death rate, as compared to 2.1 per cent through drug and chemical poisoning during the same period, is attributed to the timely intervention by the Government who outlawed glue sniffing and the effectiveness of compulsory rehabilitation. The male gender predominates (81.8 per cent) among the 33 deceased with a mean age of 20.1 years (range 15 to 33). The mean age for the female gender is 17.7 years (range 16 to 20). The blood toluene levels were found to be in the range 0.2 to 92 micrograms per ml blood. The causes of death are: 63.6 per cent due to falling or suicide by jumping; 18.2 per cent drowning; 6.1 per cent hanging; 6.1 per cent homicide; and 6.1 per cent acute toluene poisoning. The high proportion of traumatic deaths are discussed. Headspace gas chromatography with a suitable GC column was used for the analysis. Calibration blood standards were prepared in situ or in bulk stabilized by 10 per cent (v/v) methanol to overcome the hydrophobic and volatile nature of the aromatic hydrocarbons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1984

Glue sniffing and cerebral infarction.

A 12 year old boy who was a habitual glue sniffer developed a dense hemiparesis in association with an episode of glue sniffing. Occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery was found. It is postulated that the stroke was precipitated by an episode of vascular spasm.

Cerebral Angiography↗

PubMed1978

Glue-sniffing in a young child.

A case of cerebral depression due to glue-sniffing in a 4-year-old child is presented. This practice, which is confined mainly to older children and teenagers who are socially or emotionally deprived, can have fatal complications.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1983

Progressive optic neuropathy and sensorineural hearing loss due to chronic glue sniffing.

A 27-year-old male developed cerebral and cerebellar atrophy over a period of five years of extensive glue sniffing. He also developed bilateral optic atrophy with blindness and severe sensorineural hearing loss. Investigation failed to show any other cause for the visual or hearing loss. Peripheral polyneuropathy and central nervous system damage may follow chronic toluene toxicity, but these auditory and visual complications have not previously been described.

Adult↗