MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY

A few arachnoiditis patients may develop multiple chemical sensitivity. A paper in 1996([79]) suggested a causal link between neurotoxic illnesses, MCSD (multiple chemical sensitivity disorder) and exposure to environmental toxins, including organic solvents and dental materials. There is also a link between autoimmune diseases such as lupus and multiple allergies.

As described above, some patients with arachnoiditis subsequent to injection of foreign substance into the subarachnoid space, may have features suggestive of Chemically Induced Immune Disorder.

A slightly higher number of patients have new allergies to antibiotics, especially penicillin related.

A number of patients describe adverse reactions to dental anaesthetics, particularly those containing adrenalin.

These problems may lead to difficulties in prescribing for patients with arachnoiditis.

Table of Contents

Introduction
THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM
ARACHNOIDITIS OR EPIDURAL FIBROSIS?
NOMENCLATURE
THE INFLAMMATORY NATURE OF ADHESIVE ARACHNOIDITIS
PATHOLOGY
CLASSIFICATION
CAUSES
THE IATROGENIC ASPECT OF ADHESIVE ARACHNOIDITIS
PRESERVATIVES IN SPINAL INJECTIONS
PROGNOSIS
THE SYNDROMIC NATURE OF SYMPTOMS IN ADHESIVE ARACHNOIDITIS (Warning: LONG)
COMPLICATIONS OF ADHESIVE ARACHNOIDITIS
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
CLINICAL ASSESSMENT
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
TREATMENT OPTIONS (Warning: LONG)
MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY
NEXT: LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
APPENDIX I: AUTOIMMUNE ASPECTS
APPENDIX II: SYRINGOMYELIA
ADDENDUM - May 2000
REFERENCES