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A case of levamisole-induced systemic vasculitis and cocaine-induced midline destructive lesion: a case report
Nicholas A Zwang1, Lisa B Van Wagner, Shawn Rose
1Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. n-zwang@md.northwestern.edu
Abstract:
We describe a case of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive vasculitis from levamisole-tainted cocaine with concomitant cocaine-induced midline destructive lesions of the palate and nasal septum. The diagnosis was confirmed after extensive clinical, laboratory, pathologic, and radiographic testing. Timely recognition of this clinical entity is critical to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment with potentially harmful cytotoxic agents. Given the high rate of levamisole contamination within the nation's cocaine supply, clinicians should be alerted to this emerging health threat.
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