Lead brachial neuropathy in heroin addiction. A case report.
The possible toxical effect of heavy metals in the pathogenesis of brachial and lumbar plexopathies during heroin addiction has been previously hypothesized by some authors, but never detected. A 24-year-old man, addicted to heroin showed the clinical picture of a symmetrical brachial neuropathy, without other neurological involvement. Lead poisoning was detected in this patient and the chelating therapy induced a marked improvement of the clinical symptoms.
Antonini
G
G
Department of Neuroscience - University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
Palmieri
G
G
Spagnoli
L G
LG
Millefiorini
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D003932:Heroin; D006801:Humans; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*
D003932:Heroin