Summary
Hundred and three patients with suspected or diagnosed vibration syndrome caused by the prolonged use of chain saws were examined during 1978–1980. Neurological or neurophysiological examinations revealed slight changes suggesting polyneuropathy in the lower extremities of 42 patients. Peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities was only detected in 39 patients. No evidence of peripheral neuropathy was found for 22 patients. The polyneuropathic patients did not significantly differ from the non-polyneuropathic patients with regard to other clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory findings, or data on exposure. We concluded that patients with neuropathic diathesis tend to be selected into groups of patients with suspected vibration syndrome. This study emphasizes the need for the careful neurological examination of each patient with suspected vibration syndrome.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alaranta H, Seppäläinen AM (1977) Neuropathy and the automatic analysis of electromyographic signals from vibration exposed workers. Scand J Work Environ Health 3:128–134
Asbury A, Johnson P (1978) Diabetic neuropathy. In: Asbury A, Johnson P (Eds) Pathology of peripheral nerve. Saunders, London, pp 96–102
Dyck PJ, Lambert EH, Nichols PC (1971) Quantitative measurement of sensation related to compound action potential and number and sizes of myelinated and unmyelinated fibers of sural nerve in health, Friedreichs' ataxia, Hereditary sensory neuropathy and Tabes dorsalis. In: Cobb WA (ed) Handbook of electroencephalography and clinical neurophysiology, vol 9, pp 83–94
Feldman RG, Niles CA, Kelly-Hayes M, et al. (1979) Peripheral neuropathy in arsenic smelter workers. Neurology 29:939–944
Färkkilä M (1979) Symptoms of vibration syndrome, muscle force and transmission of vibration to upper extremity. Academic Dissertation, University of Helsinki. Inst Occup Health 160:1–48
Husman K, Karli P (1980) Clinical neurological findings among car painters exposed to a mixture of organic solvents. Scand J Work Environ Health 6:33–39
Hyvärinen J, Pyykkö I, Sundberg S (1973) Vibration in frequencies and amplitudes in the etiology of traumatic vasospastic disease. Lancet I: 791–794
Juntunen J, Antti-Poika M, Tola S, et al. (1982) Clinical prognosis of patients with diagnosed chronic solvent intoxication. Acta Neurol Scand 65: 488–503
Klimkova-Deutschova E (1966) Neurologische Aspekte der Vibrationskrankheit. Arch Gewerbepathol 22:297–305
Kumlin T, Wiikeri M, Sumari P (1973) Radiological changes in carpal and metacarpal bones and phalanges caused by cain saw vibration. Br J Ind Med 30:71–73
Lukas E (1970) Lesion of the peripheral nervous system due to vibration. Work Environ Health 7: 67–79
McLeod JG (1975) Carcinomatous neuropathy. In: Dyck PJ, Thomas PK, Lambert EH (eds) Peripheral neuropathy, vol 2. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 1301–1313
Ochoa J (1980) Criteria for the assessment of polyneuropathy. In: Spencer PS, Schaumburg HH (eds) Experimental and clinical neurotoxicology. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 681–707
Palumbo PJ, Elveback LR, Whisnant JP (1978) Neurologic complications of diabetes mellitus: Transient ischaemic atack, stroke and peripheral neuropathy. In: Schoenberg BS (ed) Advances in neurology, vol 19. Raven Press, New York, pp 593–599
Pyykkö I (1974) The prevalence and symptoms of traumatic vasospastic disease among lumberjacks in Finland. Work Environ Health 11:118–131
Pyykkö I, Farkkila M, Toivanen J, et al. (1976) Transmission of vibration in the hand-arm system with special reference to changes in compression force and acceleration. Scand J Work Environ Health 2:87–95
Pyykkö I, Sairanen E, Korhonen 0, et al. (1978) A decrease in the prevalence and severity of vibration induced white fingers among lumberjacks in Finland. Scand J Work Environ Health 4:246–254
Seppäläinen AM (1970) Nerve conduction in the vibration syndrome. Work Environ Health 7: 82–84
Seppäläinen AM (1972) Peripheral neuropathy in forest workers. A field study. Work Environ Health 9:106–111
Seppäläinen AM, Hernberg S, Kock B (1979) Relationship between blood lead levels and nerve conduction velocities. Neurotoxicology 1:313–332
Taylor W, Pelmear PL (1975) Vibration white finger in industry. Academic Press, New York, pp 1–166
Victor M (1975) Polyneuropathy due to nutritional deficiency and alcoholism. In: Dyck PJ, Thomas PK, Lambert E (Eds) Peripheral neuropathy, vol 2. Saunders, London, pp 1030–1066
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Juntunen, J., Matikainen, E., Seppäläinen, A.M. et al. Peripheral neuropathy and vibration syndrome. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 52, 17–24 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00380603
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00380603