Cocaine-induced Bilateral Basal Ganglia Ischemia Presenting with Unilateral Wrist Drop

Mahdi, Mahmoud; Mahdi, Ahmad; Shah, Hamna; Karam, W.; Jackson, Jennifer M.

doi:10.17161/kjm.vol16.19114

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…On MRI, white matter abnormalities are the most frequently described signs of cocaine-induced encephalopathy. The involvement of the basal ganglia may be explained by vascular mechanisms that have yet to be studied [9,10].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cocaine-Induced Lung Damage and Uncommon Involvement of the Basal Ganglia

Ziani,

Nasri,

Kamaoui

et al. 2024

Cureus

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Cocaine use is responsible for multiorgan damage, including the brain and lungs. Bilateral and symmetrical involvement of the basal ganglia may be due to toxic, metabolic, vascular, inflammatory, infectious, or tumoral causes. Cocaine-related encephalopathy mainly affects the white matter, while basal ganglia involvement is an uncommon finding. Cocaine-induced lung damage varies clinically and even radiologically, with signs that lack specificity. The diagnosis of cocaine-induced lung or brain injury is based on suggestive radiological signs in the context of cocaine consumption and after the elimination of other etiologies likely to present the same patterns. The context of cocaine use is often not spontaneously declared, making diagnosis more complicated. We report the case of a 28-year-old male patient, with a history of freebase cocaine use, admitted to the emergency room in severe coma with respiratory distress. Brain MRI showed bilateral and symmetrical abnormalities of the basal ganglia. A chest CT scan revealed interstitial lung damage dominated by the ground-glass pattern. The urine toxicology test was positive for cocaine. Cocaine-related lesions can be reversible, and therapeutic management is essentially based on supportive care.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%