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

Polyradiculoneuropathy associated with heroin abuse.

L A Loizou, H G Boddie

    Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
    |September 1, 1978
    PubMed
    Summary

    Heroin abuse can trigger acute polyradiculoneuropathy, a rare neurological complication. This case highlights the risk even after periods of abstinence, emphasizing the need for awareness among healthcare providers.

    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

    Remacemide hydrochloride as an add-on therapy in epilepsy: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of three dose levels (300, 600 and 1200 mg/day) in a Q.I.D. regimen.

    Seizure·2002
    Same author

    Studies to assess if pizotifen prophylaxis improves migraine beyond the benefit offered by acute sumatriptan therapy alone.

    European neurology·1997
    Same author

    A cost analysis of Nd:YAG laser ablation versus endoscopic intubation for the palliation of malignant dysphagia.

    European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)·1995
    Same author

    Laser ablation of upper gastrointestinal vascular ectasias: long term results.

    Gut·1993
    Same author

    Reducing waiting lists requires more staff.

    BMJ (Clinical research ed.)·1993
    Same author

    Successful conservative management of spontaneous spinal extradural haematoma.

    British journal of neurosurgery·1993

    Area of Science:

    • Neurology
    • Toxicology
    • Addiction Medicine

    Background:

    • Neurological complications from heroin addiction are infrequently reported in the UK.
    • Intravenous drug use carries inherent risks, including infectious and non-infectious complications.

    Observation:

    • A young female patient with a history of heroin addiction presented with acute polyradiculoneuropathy.
    • The onset of neurological symptoms occurred shortly after resuming intravenous heroin use following a four-year period of abstinence.
    • A preceding flu-like illness was considered but deemed a less likely cause.

    Findings:

    • Investigations concluded that intravenous heroin abuse was the most probable etiological factor for the patient's acute polyradiculoneuropathy.
    • This case suggests a potential link between heroin re-initiation and the development of specific neurological disorders.

    Implications:

    • Highlights the potential for severe neurological sequelae in individuals with a history of heroin addiction, even after abstinence.
    • Underscores the importance of considering substance abuse as a potential cause of unexplained neurological symptoms.
    • May inform clinical guidelines and patient counseling regarding the risks associated with intravenous drug use and relapse.

    Related Experiment Videos