Korean J Hepatol.  2003 Dec;9(4):332-336.

A Case of Toxic Hepatitis Induced by Habitual Glue Sniffing

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University, College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. yokweon@knu.ac.kr

Abstract

The link between toxic hepatitis and exposure to organic solvents is relatively well-documented, but there are no specific laboratory or histologic findings diagnostic of chemical-induced hepatitis. Clinical history, therefore, is very important in making a diagnosis. A history of glue sniffing is sometimes overlooked and glue sniffing has not received much attention as a cause of hepatitis. Toluene, a main organic solvent in glue, is known to cause disturbances in various organs such as the heart, nervous system, liver and kidneys. We present a case of hepatitis in an individual who has sniffed glue for euphoria for 3 years. There is an increasing tendency towards glue sniffing among young adolescents today, so toxicity caused by exposure to organic solvents should be considered as one possible cause of hepatitis in young adolescents.

Keyword

Glue sniffer; Hepatitis; Organic solvent; Toluene

MeSH Terms

Adhesives
Adult
English Abstract
Hepatitis, Toxic/*etiology
Humans
Male
Substance-Related Disorders/*complications
Toluene
Full Text Links
  • KJHEP
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr