Neurological side effects in two patients receiving gold injections for rheumatoid arthritis

We describe two patients who developed neurological side effects as part of the spectrum of nitritoid reactions. Both reactions occurred late in the course of treatment. The first patient developed mild nitritoid symptoms and pain in a band-like distribution, corresponding to T10-T12 dermatomes, shortly after gold sodium thiomalate (GSTM) injection. Further injections were followed by similar symptoms in addition to paraesthesiae and altered pin-prick sensation of anterior thigh and legs with no residual deficit. She has had no further episodes since substitution of aurothioglucose. The second patient experienced mild nitritoid symptoms following several GSTM injections prior experiencing a cerebrovascular accident within several hours of her next injection. She subsequently haemorrhaged into the infarcted area with residual neurological deficits. These cases highlight that nitritoid reactions can be severe and may be heralded by milder symptoms. Patients who develop these reactions whilst receiving GSTM can be successfully changed to aurothioglucose.