Lead poisoning from complementary and alternative medicine in multiple sclerosis.
A patient with multiple sclerosis is described who was treated for neurological symptoms thought to be a progression of his disease but subsequently found to be caused by lead poisoning secondary to the use of alternative medicine. His clinical signs improved with oral chelation therapy. Neurologists should consider asking about the use of complementary and alternative medicine before simply attributing symptoms and signs to exacerbation of multiple sclerosis.
Fisher
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Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, The Canberra Hospital, Garran ACT 2605 Australia.
Le Couteur
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D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D006801:Humans; D020265:Lead Poisoning, Nervous System, Adult / Q000209:etiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*