A cocaine-associated quadriplegia and motor aphasia after first use of cocaine.
A 31-year-old female who have snorted one "line" of cocaine hydrochloride (approximately 35 mg), for the first time in her life, was admitted to the hospital because of acute onset of right hemiplegia and left hemiparesis evolving into quadriplegia. Motor aphasia, right eye-ball divergent strabismus and right mouth recess lowering were also observed.


CONCLUSIONS
A first time mucosal administration of cocaine hydrochloride even in low dose can cause severe neurological complications like quadriplegia and aphasia. Cocaine-associated stroke can be a diagnostic problem in the emergency room. Unconscious patients or those with acute onset of neurological disorders can form a real diagnostic challenge, especially when there is no evidence of previous drug taking.
Sein Anand
Jacek
J
Department of Internal Medicine, Geriatry and Clinical Toxicology, Medical University of Gdańsk. jsanand@amg.gda.pl
Chodorowski
Zygmunt
Z
Wiśniewski
Marek
M
Gólska
Agnieszka
A
D000328:Adult; D001039:Aphasia, Broca / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D016578:Crack Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010291:Paresis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D020521:Stroke / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016578:Crack Cocaine