Citation

Stecker MM, Yu H, Barlev R, Marmor M, Wilkenfeld M. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 2016; 58(11): 1150-1154.

Affiliation

Department of Neuroscience (Drs Stecker, Yu); Department of Medicine, Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola (Dr Barlev); Department of Population Health, Environmental Medicine and Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York (Drs Marmor, Wilkenfeld); and Department of Medicine/Division of Occupational Medicine, Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, New York (Dr. Wilkenfeld).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JOM.0000000000000889

PMID

27820766

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical phenotype of a limited group of responders and survivors of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster who were referred for the evaluation of neuropathic symptoms.

METHODS: Sixteen patients with WTC exposure were referred to a neurologist for evaluation. All had a neurologic examination. Most had electromyogram and nerve conduction testing/nerve conduction studies as well as appropriate imaging and blood tests.

RESULTS: There was a higher probability of a neuropathy diagnosis in WTC-exposed patients than other patients referred for EMG testing. Two WTC-exposed patients had motor neuron disease and not neuropathy.

CONCLUSION: This study provides objective evidence of neuropathy in a relatively high fraction of WTC-exposed patients with neuropathic symptoms. It also emphasizes that the scope of neurologic problems following WTC exposure may include other diagnoses such as motor neuron disease.

Language: en