Neurologic Evaluations of Patients Exposed to the World Trade Center Disaster. Issue 11 (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stecker, Mark M.; Yu, Huiying; Barlev, Renee; Marmor, Michael; Wilkenfeld, Marc
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 58:Issue 11(2016)
• Page Start: 1150
• Page End: 1154
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000889
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

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.