The Enigma of Delayed Neurotoxicity in Organophosphate Poisoning: A Case Report of Clinical Presentation With Normal MRI Findings

TL;DR

This paper reports a case of delayed neurotoxicity from organophosphate poisoning in a patient with normal MRI results, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis.

Contribution

The paper presents a rare clinical case of delayed neurotoxicity following chlorpyrifos exposure with normal MRI findings.

Findings

Delayed neurotoxicity can manifest weeks after organophosphate exposure.

Normal MRI findings do not rule out spinal cord involvement in delayed neurotoxicity.

Early diagnosis and management improve outcomes in OP-induced delayed neuropathy.

Abstract

Organophosphates (OP) are the most widely used pesticides globally and are misused for suicides because of their easy availability. It leads to functional impairment of distal segments of sensory and motor axons of peripheral nerves, as well as impacting the ascending and descending spinal tracts. It progresses through latent, progressive, static, and improvement phases. In the improvement phase, peripheral nerve regeneration occurs, revealing the spinal cord lesion with myelopathic features. The acute symptoms and treatments of OP poisoning have been extensively documented in the literature. Delayed neurotoxicity is a rare but debilitating condition that can manifest weeks after initial exposure. A high index of suspicion for OP-induced delayed neurotoxicity should be maintained in patients presenting with delayed neurological symptoms post-OP exposure, even with normal MRI findings. OP linked to delayed neuropathy include triorthocresyl phosphate, chlorpyriphos, malathion, fipronil, mipafox, matriphonate, and parathion. Among these, the most hazardous OP ester is tri-o-cresyl phosphate. We report a case of a 28-year-old male who developed neurotoxicity five weeks following OP poisoning with chlorpyrifos. Early diagnosis and symptomatic management are important for improving patient outcomes.

Figures