The diagnosis of acute toxic encephalopathy from the scene, symptoms, signs and laboratory data on the judgment. Presented in the following references :
1. History of exposure to high concentrations of toxic poison : patients in a short period of time a large number of contacts. As the number of accidents caused this accident.
2. The risk : If the general incidence of exposure to high concentrations of toluene, gasoline often rapidly develop the disease. Metals and organic compounds such as tetraethyl lead, organic tin, mercury, such as methyl iodide poisoning often must latency The incubation period of a few hours to several days, 2-3 weeks and even brain symptoms appeared.
3. Often various clinical symptoms and signs of brain function and organic : Early more suffering headaches, the evil heart, drowsiness, malaise, irritability, hallucinations and orientation obstacles. Typical performance was increased intracranial pressure, such as drama head pain, jet-like vomiting, frequent seizures, slowed breathing, increased blood pressure, reduced pupil, bulbar conjunctival edema, eye - Tension increased awareness of mounting obstacles, and a sustained coma. fundus examination but not necessarily see papilledema.
4. Acute poisoning is a systemic disease, such as encephalopathy at the same time, The damage to other organs or systems, it will contribute to the diagnosis.
5. EEG showed diffuse lesions : alpha waves often reduced ¦Ä or ¦È replace Bo slow wave.
6. Toxicology and special test : If the acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning. blood cholinesterase activity; Acute carbon monoxide poisoning, blood carboxyhemoglobin increase; have all contributed to the diagnosis of toxic encephalopathy.
7. Rule out other causes such as : diseases of the central nervous system caused by epilepsy, disease, cerebrovascular accident, encephalitis and brain trauma.

This article was posted on 2007-02-27