Mononeuropathy multiplex as a complication of amphetamine angiitis.
A patient who abused multiple drugs developed a rapidly progressive mononeuropathy multiplex, which appeared to respond to corticosteroid therapy with partial resolution. Intravenous methamphetamine had been used almost exclusively from the fourth month prior to the onset of symptoms. Biopsy material revealed a necrotizing angiitis involving medium and small sized arteries, capillaries, and venules, typical of a hypersensitivity-type angiopathy, rather than the previously reported polyarteritis nodosa-type lesions secondary to illicit drugs. The apparent response to corticosteroids suggests that these agents might be useful in the treatment of some complications of drug abuse.
D000293:Adolescent; D001463:Barbiturates / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
D001463:Barbiturates; D008694:Methamphetamine; D008238:Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; D011241:Prednisone