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Susac-Like Syndrome in a Chronic Cocaine Abuser: Could Levamisole Play a Role?

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Hantson, Philippe [UCL] Di Fazio, Vincent Del Mar Ramirez Fernandez, Maria Samyn, Nele Duprez, Thierry [UCL] Van Pesch, Vincent [UCL]

INTRODUCTION: Toxic leukoencephalopathy is a possible but rare complication of chronic cocaine abuse. The role of adulterants, mainly levamisole, is still debated. CASE REPORT: We describe an atypical case of fatal leukoencephalopathy mimicking Susac syndrome in a 22-year-old man who was chronically abusing cannabis and cocaine. Exposure to levamisole as adulterant to cocaine was proven by hair analysis. Despite cessation of exposure to cocaine and aggressive immunosuppressive therapy, the patient remained in a minimally conscious state until death. DISCUSSION: Susac syndrome is a rare entity, and its etiology is not yet fully elucidated. The toxic etiologies have been poorly investigated to date. Further observations are required to determine if cocaine and/or adulterants might play a significant role.

Document type Article de périodique (Journal article) – Article de recherche
Access type Accès restreint
Publication date 2014
Language Anglais
Journal information "Journal of Medical Toxicology : official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology" - Vol. 11, no. 1, p. 124-128 (2015)
Peer reviewed yes
Publisher Springer New York LLC ((United States) New York, NY)
issn 1556-9039
e-issn 1937-6995
Publication status Publié
Affiliations UCL - SSS/IONS/CEMO - Pôle Cellulaire et moléculaire
UCL - SSS/IREC/MEDA - Pôle de médecine aiguë
UCL - (SLuc) Service de neurologie
UCL - (SLuc) Service de radiologie
UCL - (SLuc) Service de soins intensifs
UCL - SSS/IONS - Institute of NeuroScience
UCL - SSS/IONS/NEUR - Clinical Neuroscience
Links
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Bibliographic reference Hantson, Philippe ; Di Fazio, Vincent ; Del Mar Ramirez Fernandez, Maria ; Samyn, Nele ; Duprez, Thierry ; et. al. Susac-Like Syndrome in a Chronic Cocaine Abuser: Could Levamisole Play a Role?. In: Journal of Medical Toxicology : official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology, Vol. 11, no. 1, p. 124-128 (2015)
Permanent URL http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/153421