title: Methadone intoxication in a child: toxic encephalopathy?
abstract: Methadone is used in the treatment of opioid addiction. Acute intoxication can lead to severe consequences and can even be lethal. In several case reports and small series, a presumably toxic leukoencephalopathy is described resulting from inhalation of heroin. We present the case of a 3-year-old boy who ingested methadone accidentally. In a coma with acute obstructive hydrocephalus owing to massive cerebellar edema and supratentorial lesions, he was successfully treated with methylprednisolone and cerebrospinal fluid external drainage. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an encephalopathy associated with synthetic opioid intoxication.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: Marisol
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anselmo
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campos Rainho
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: do Carmo Vale
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Estrada
authors.forename: Rosalina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.forename: José Pedro
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Deolinda
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barata
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000506:poisoning*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000506:poisoning*; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008691:Methadone