Carbon monoxide (CO) has the toxic effects of tissue hypoxia and produces various systemic and neurological complications. The main clinical manifestations of acute CO poisoning consist of symptoms caused by alterations of the cardiovascular system such as initial tachycardia and hypertension, and central nervous system symptoms such as headache, dizziness, paresis, convulsion and unconsciousness. CO poisoning also produces myocardial ischemia, atrial fibrillation, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, erythrocytosis, leucocytosis, hyperglycemia, muscle necrosis, acute renal failure, skin lesion, and changes in perception of the visual and auditory systems. Of considerable chinical interest, severe neurological manifestations may occur days or weekes after acute CO poisoning. Delayed sequelae of CO poisoning are not rare, usually occur in middle or older, and are clinically characterized by symptom triad of mental deterioration, urinary incontinence, and gait disturbance. Occasionally, movement disorders, particularly parkinsonism, are observed. In addition, peripheral neuropathy following CO poisoning usually occurs in young adults.
Animal ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning/complications/*physiopathology ; Human

Adult ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ; complications ; psychology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nervous System Diseases ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Suicide, Attempted ; psychology

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; physiopathology ; Brain Diseases ; blood ; chemically induced ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged

The regional cerebral blood flow of four patients with delayed carbon monoxide sequelae and four age matched controls was measured, using a xenon inhalation CT scan (GE 9800). Variable patterns of decreased cerebral blood perfusion according to the clinical state of the patient were noted among the patients. Follow up studies, 2 months later, indicated that there was a correlation between the fluctuation of symptoms and the changes in regional cerebral blood flow. It is suggested that the impairment of cerebral perfusion may play a critical role in delayed carbon monoxide sequelae.
Administration, Inhalation ; Aged ; Brain/*blood supply ; Brain Ischemia/chemically induced/physiopathology/*radiography ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning/*complications ; Case Report ; Female ; Human ; Male ; Middle Age ; Regional Blood Flow/drug effects ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Time Factors ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Xenon/administration and dosage/diagnostic use