Acute inhalant-induced neurotoxicity with delayed recovery.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of neurotoxicity and subsequent hospitalization due to abuse of an ethyl chloride inhalant.


METHODS
A 41-year-old African American male presented to the emergency department due to mental status changes and an inability to walk. After the blood alcohol and urine drug screen returned negative, a family member revealed that the patient frequently abused an inhalant containing the volatile solvent ethyl chloride.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhalant abuse is common and is facilitated by the widespread availability of volatile solvents that have legitimate commercial or household uses. Most inhalants are central nervous system depressants and are highly lipophilic. Maximum Impact, which contains ethyl chloride, is sold in stores and is readily available over the Internet. While the product has a legitimate use as a VCR head cleaner, it is often illicitly marketed over the Internet as a means of getting a "rush" or "high" and for enhancing sexual pleasure. Neurologic symptoms have been reported after deliberate inhalational exposure to ethyl chloride, and 2 deaths have been associated with its use. An objective causality assessment using the Naranjo probability scale revealed a probable adverse drug event.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhalants should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with acute mental status changes and neurologic impairment that resolve over less than one week.
Finch
Christopher K
CK
Department of Pharmacy, Methodist University Hospital, Memphis, TN 38104-3499, USA. finchc@methodisthealth.org
Lobo
Bob L
BL
D000328:Adult; D001259:Ataxia / Q000139:chemically induced; D005018:Ethyl Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000139:chemically induced; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D014202:Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced
D012997:Solvents; D005018:Ethyl Chloride