Case Report

Guillain-Barré Syndrome Associated with Minimal Change Glomerulopathy and Tubular Dysfunction – Related to Acetone-Based Organic Solvent?
Jiann-Keh Chen, Mai-Szu Wu, Chih-Wei Yang, Jeng-Yi Huang, Po-Yaur Hsu, Chun-Liang Lin, Chiu-Ching Huang

Department of Nephrology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC

Address of Corresponding Author

Am J Nephrol 2002;22:560-565 (DOI: 10.1159/000065268)

  Key Words

• Acetone
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Minimal change nephrotic syndrome
• Renal tubular dysfunction

  Abstract

A 55-year-old woman presented with Guillain-Barré syndrome, nephrotic syndrome and multiple tubular dysfunction under occupational exposure to an organic solvent, which contained acetone as the principal solvent. In this case, the onset of the nephrotic syndrome and tubular dysfunction coincided with the development of the neurological manifestation. Renal biopsy demonstrated minimal change glomerulopathy with moderate tubulointerstitial nephritis. Several clearance tests that evaluated tubular transport functions revealed multiple tubular defects (including the Na⁺-K⁺-Cl^– cotransporter of thick ascending limb and distal proton pump). The simultaneous occurrence of Guillain-Barré and nephrotic syndrome has previously been reported. However, both minimal glomerulopathy with multiple tubular dysfunction and progressive peripheral neuropathy under occupational exposure to an organic solvent remain unreported. Herein, we presented a rare association of minimal change nephrotic syndrome, tubular dysfunction with Guillain-Barré syndrome under the risk of exposure to an acetone-based cleansing solution; the case raises our concerns about possible chronic nephrotoxic or neurotoxic effects of common chemical organic solvents.

Copyright © 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Chun-Liang Lin, MD
Department of Nephrology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
5 Fu-Shin Street, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan (ROC)
Tel. +886 3 3281200, ext 8181, Fax +886 3 3282173
E-Mail linchunliang@adm.cgmh.org.tw

  Article Information

Received: Received: September 25, 2001
Accepted: March 18, 2002
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 13