Cocaine-induced recurrent leukoencephalopathy
Alejandra González-Duarte1, Ricardo Williams
1Departments of Neurology, Salvador Zubirán National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition; Mexico City, Mexico - gonzalezduarte@aol.com.
Abstract:
Cocaine-induced leukoencephalopathy is a rare neurological complication. It is most likely related to the substances used to adulterate the cocaine. Levamisole is one of the most common adulterants of cocaine and causes reversible leukoencephalopathy. Patients display severe neurological symptoms that resolve at termination of the exposure. MRI shows diffuse white matter involvement with sparing of the U fibers, without brain stem or cerebellar involvement. We describe the case of a woman with three neurologic episodes and remitting and recurrent brain white matter lesions.
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