Posturography Findings in Workers Exposed to Industrial Solvents

Abstract

Postural control was investigated by static posturography in 18 workers exposed to industrial solvents, 9 patients with psycho-organic syndrome due to industrial solvent exposure, and 52 controls. Both groups of exposed subjects showed larger sway areas with eyes open as well as closed, compared with the controls. No differences were found in the Romberg quotient (the relationship between sway areas with eyes closed/open). The correlation between static posturography and the otoneurological test battery was positive for the visual suppression test in the styrene group. In the industrial solvent group no significant correlations were found. The visual suppression test and some auditory tests were pathological in the exposed groups. The otoneurological test battery—especially the visual suppression test and static posturography—seems to contribute in the assessment of solvent related CNS lesions.

Key Words:

• static posturography
• industrial solvents
• visual suppression test
• psycho-organic syndrome
• vestibulo-ocular reflex