Deep neck abscesses secondary to methylphenidate (Ritalin) abuse.
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) abuse has been and continues to be a major medical and social problem. In the past 6 months, we have seen five deep neck abscesses secondary to intravenous Ritalin abuse. This constitutes more than 50% of the deep neck abscesses seen by us in the same time period. The pathogenesis is related to an inflammatory foreign-body reaction to the fillers in the methylphenidate tablets, followed by superinfection by oral or cutaneous flora. Mixed flora infections with weakly pathogenic organisms may also occur.
D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects; D007601:Jugular Veins; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*
D008774:Methylphenidate