|
1
|
Shermetaro J, Bridges M, Patel N, Vosko B. Subacute Combined Degeneration of the Spinal Cord Induced by Nitrous Oxide Abuse: A Rare Patient Presentation to a Spine Surgery Clinic: Illustrative Case. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev 2024; 8:01979360-202401000-00002. [PMID: 38231988 DOI: 10.5435/jaaosglobal-d-23-00104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Subacute combined degeneration (SCD) of the spinal cord is a disease involving the lateral and posterior columns of the spinal cord that can manifest in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency. Nitrous oxide (N2O)-induced SCD of the spinal cord is a result of N2O interfering with the metabolism of vitamin B12 and results in nervous system demyelination. This is an infrequent complication of N2O anesthesia; however, cases are rising with recreational N2O use. This case report describes a patient with SCD of the spinal cord induced by recreational N2O abuse. The patient presented to a spine surgery clinic with a 3-week history of progressive global weakness and paresthesias. After a detailed history and physical examination, the diagnosis was made and supported by various tests and imaging findings. Despite marked neurologic deficits, the patient's symptoms improved markedly with therapy and vitamin B12 supplementation. Spine surgery clinicians may be confronted with these cases and should be aware of this atypical presentation of SCD. As in our case, patients may present with neurologic deficits of unclear etiology. Neurologic dysfunction may be irreversible; therefore, accurate diagnosis, medical treatment, and complete neurologic evaluation are of the utmost importance to prevent additional progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Shermetaro
- From the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Corewell Health Dearborn Hospital, Dearborn, MI
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Bakirtzis C, Lima M, De Lorenzo SS, Artemiadis A, Theotokis P, Kesidou E, Konstantinidou N, Sintila SA, Boziki MK, Parissis D, Ioannidis P, Karapanayiotides T, Hadjigeorgiou G, Grigoriadis N. Secondary Central Nervous System Demyelinating Disorders in the Elderly: A Narrative Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2126. [PMID: 37570367 PMCID: PMC10418902 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11152126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Secondary demyelinating diseases comprise a wide spectrum group of pathological conditions and may either be attributed to a disorder primarily affecting the neurons or axons, followed by demyelination, or to an underlying condition leading to secondary damage of the myelin sheath. In the elderly, primary demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), such as multiple sclerosis, are relatively uncommon. However, secondary causes of CNS demyelination may often occur and in this case, extensive diagnostic workup is usually needed. Infectious, postinfectious, or postvaccinal demyelination may be observed, attributed to age-related alterations of the immune system in this population. Osmotic disturbances and nutritional deficiencies, more commonly observed in the elderly, may lead to conditions such as pontine/extrapontine myelinolysis, Wernicke encephalopathy, and demyelination of the posterior columns of the spinal cord. The prevalence of malignancies is higher in the elderly, sometimes leading to radiation-induced, immunotherapy-related, or paraneoplastic CNS demyelination. This review intends to aid clinical neurologists in broadening their diagnostic approach to secondary CNS demyelinating diseases in the elderly. Common clinical conditions leading to secondary demyelination and their clinical manifestations are summarized here, while the current knowledge of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms is additionally presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christos Bakirtzis
- Second Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.L.); (S.S.D.L.); (P.T.); (E.K.); (N.K.); (S.-A.S.); (M.-K.B.); (D.P.); (P.I.); (T.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Maria Lima
- Second Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.L.); (S.S.D.L.); (P.T.); (E.K.); (N.K.); (S.-A.S.); (M.-K.B.); (D.P.); (P.I.); (T.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Sotiria Stavropoulou De Lorenzo
- Second Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.L.); (S.S.D.L.); (P.T.); (E.K.); (N.K.); (S.-A.S.); (M.-K.B.); (D.P.); (P.I.); (T.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Artemios Artemiadis
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Cyprus, Nicosia CY-2029, Cyprus; (A.A.); (G.H.)
| | - Paschalis Theotokis
- Second Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.L.); (S.S.D.L.); (P.T.); (E.K.); (N.K.); (S.-A.S.); (M.-K.B.); (D.P.); (P.I.); (T.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Evangelia Kesidou
- Second Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.L.); (S.S.D.L.); (P.T.); (E.K.); (N.K.); (S.-A.S.); (M.-K.B.); (D.P.); (P.I.); (T.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Natalia Konstantinidou
- Second Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.L.); (S.S.D.L.); (P.T.); (E.K.); (N.K.); (S.-A.S.); (M.-K.B.); (D.P.); (P.I.); (T.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Styliani-Aggeliki Sintila
- Second Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.L.); (S.S.D.L.); (P.T.); (E.K.); (N.K.); (S.-A.S.); (M.-K.B.); (D.P.); (P.I.); (T.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Marina-Kleopatra Boziki
- Second Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.L.); (S.S.D.L.); (P.T.); (E.K.); (N.K.); (S.-A.S.); (M.-K.B.); (D.P.); (P.I.); (T.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Dimitrios Parissis
- Second Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.L.); (S.S.D.L.); (P.T.); (E.K.); (N.K.); (S.-A.S.); (M.-K.B.); (D.P.); (P.I.); (T.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Panagiotis Ioannidis
- Second Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.L.); (S.S.D.L.); (P.T.); (E.K.); (N.K.); (S.-A.S.); (M.-K.B.); (D.P.); (P.I.); (T.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Theodoros Karapanayiotides
- Second Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.L.); (S.S.D.L.); (P.T.); (E.K.); (N.K.); (S.-A.S.); (M.-K.B.); (D.P.); (P.I.); (T.K.); (N.G.)
| | | | - Nikolaos Grigoriadis
- Second Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.L.); (S.S.D.L.); (P.T.); (E.K.); (N.K.); (S.-A.S.); (M.-K.B.); (D.P.); (P.I.); (T.K.); (N.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
|
3
|
Trowbridge P, Poland C. Missing a case of nitrous oxide toxicity. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2022; 9:20499361221104377. [PMID: 35719176 PMCID: PMC9198419 DOI: 10.1177/20499361221104377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrous oxide is a highly lipid-soluble molecule, which can produce euphoria and calming effects through noncompetitive antagonism of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor and agonism of the y-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptor. It can also produce toxicities likely through inactivation of methylcobalamin (vitamin B12) with subsequent neurological, psychiatric, and other sequelae that may be mistaken for other clinical entities. We present a classic presentation of nitrous oxide toxicity, which was missed and urgently referred to infectious diseases with concerns for an infectious neuromyelitis. Knowing the constellation of symptoms and findings and maintaining a high index of suspicion are key to diagnosing nitrous oxide toxicity, which can otherwise easily be missed. Cessation of use, B12 supplementation, and supportive measures such as occupational and physical therapy are helpful for maximizing long-term beneficial outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Trowbridge
- Addiction Medicine, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, 3000 Lafayette Ave SE, Suite 3200, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4502, USA
| | - Cara Poland
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|