Toxic leukoencephalopathy
Toxic Leukoencephalopathy
Toxic leukoencephalopathy (pronunciation: tox-ic leuk-o-en-ceph-a-lop-a-thy) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by damage to the white matter of the brain due to exposure to certain toxic substances.
Etymology
The term "toxic leukoencephalopathy" is derived from the Greek words "toxikon" (poison), "leukos" (white), "encephalon" (brain), and "pathos" (suffering).
Definition
Toxic leukoencephalopathy is a condition that results from exposure to certain toxic substances, including drugs, environmental toxins, and radiation, which cause damage to the white matter of the brain. This damage can lead to a variety of neurological symptoms, including cognitive impairment, motor dysfunction, and in severe cases, death.
Symptoms
Symptoms of toxic leukoencephalopathy can vary widely depending on the specific toxin involved and the extent of the damage to the white matter. Common symptoms may include cognitive impairment, motor dysfunction, seizures, and in severe cases, coma or death.
Causes
Toxic leukoencephalopathy can be caused by a variety of toxic substances, including certain drugs (such as chemotherapy drugs, antidepressants, and opioids), environmental toxins (such as lead and mercury), and radiation.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of toxic leukoencephalopathy typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging studies (such as MRI), and in some cases, biopsy of the brain tissue.
Treatment
Treatment for toxic leukoencephalopathy primarily involves removing the source of the toxic exposure and providing supportive care. In some cases, medications may be used to manage symptoms.
Related Terms
- Leukoencephalopathy
- White matter
- Neurotoxicity
- Chemotherapy
- Antidepressants
- Opioids
- Lead poisoning
- Mercury poisoning
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Toxic leukoencephalopathy
- Wikipedia's article - Toxic leukoencephalopathy
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