Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Lead poisoning during heroin addiction.

G Antonini1, G Palmieri, E Millefiorini

  • 1Dipartimento di Scienze Neurologiche, Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza.

Italian Journal of Neurological Sciences
|February 1, 1989
PubMed
Summary

Heroin addiction can cause nerve damage, specifically brachial neuropathy. This case study found lead poisoning as a treatable cause, improving symptoms with chelating therapy.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Simultaneous Enchondroma and Osteochondroma in the Hand: A Case Report.

La Clinica terapeutica·2025
Same author

The role of the urinary microbiome on male benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its management using probiotic supplementation: a narrative review.

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·2024
Same author

Helical PHILOS plating in shaft humeral fractures with proximal extension: a safe choice using an anterior approach.

La Clinica terapeutica·2024
Same author

A two-window mini-open approach for suprapectoral tenodesis for traumatic ruptures of the long head of the biceps tendon.

La Clinica terapeutica·2023
Same author

Distal Tibia Fractures: is the Tibia First Technique a Rational Approach?

Malaysian orthopaedic journal·2023
Same author

Diagnosis and management of a superior gluteal artery lesion following intramedullary fixation of a diaphyseal femoral fracture: a case report.

La Clinica terapeutica·2022

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Toxicology
  • Addiction Medicine

Background:

  • Heroin addiction is associated with various neurological complications.
  • Brachial neuropathy, affecting nerves in the arm and shoulder, is a rare but serious complication.

Observation:

  • A young man with heroin addiction presented with symmetrical brachial neuropathy.
  • No other neurological deficits were observed.
  • Lead poisoning was identified as a potential underlying cause.

Findings:

  • Chelating therapy significantly improved the patient's neurological symptoms.
  • This is the first documented case detecting heavy metal poisoning (lead) in heroin-induced brachial plexopathy.

Implications:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Heavy metal toxicity should be considered in heroin-addicted individuals presenting with neuropathy.
  • Early detection and treatment of lead poisoning can lead to clinical improvement.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the link between heavy metals and plexopathies in substance use disorders.