HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Nitrous oxide myelopathy posing as spinal cord injury.

Abstract
The authors describe a patient who presented with acute tetraparesis and a proposed acute traumatic spinal cord injury that was the result of nitrous oxide myelopathy. This 19-year-old man sustained a traumatic fall off a 6-ft high wall. His examination was consistent with a central cord syndrome with the addition of dorsal column impairment. Cervical MRI demonstrated an isolated dorsal column signal that was suggestive of a nontraumatic etiology. The patient's symptoms resolved entirely over the course of 48 hours. Nitrous oxide abuse is increasing in prevalence. Its toxic side effects can mask vitamin B12 and folate deficiency and central cord syndrome. The patient's history and radiographic presentation are key to establishing a diagnosis.
AuthorsGeorge M Ghobrial, Richard Dalyai, Adam E Flanders, James Harrop
JournalJournal of neurosurgery. Spine (J Neurosurg Spine) Vol. 16 Issue 5 Pg. 489-91 (May 2012) ISSN: 1547-5646 [Electronic] United States
PMID22385084 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Anesthetics, Inhalation
  • Nitrous Oxide
Topics
  • Anesthetics, Inhalation (adverse effects)
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nitrous Oxide (adverse effects)
  • Spinal Cord Diseases (chemically induced, diagnosis)
  • Spinal Cord Injuries (diagnosis)
  • Substance-Related Disorders (complications, diagnosis)
  • Young Adult

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: