title: Xylometazoline abuse induced ischemic stroke in a young adult.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  substance abuse is an important cause of ischemic stroke in the young. This includes over-the-counter dietary supplements and cough and cold remedies, which were reported to be an independent risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  this article describes a young male patient with acute ischemic infarctions in the posterior inferior cerebellar and posterior cerebral artery territories bilaterally, the right cerebral peduncle, the left pontine tegmentum, and lateral pons following abuse of xylometazoline-containing nasal decongestant for 10 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  this is the first report in the literature of posterior circulation strokes because of chronic xylometazoline abuse. We hope to contribute to increase knowledge and awareness of the public about these serious complications of cough-and-cold remedies as well as dietary supplements containing sympathomimetics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leupold
authors.forename: Katja E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Wartenberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D020521:Stroke / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D014663:Nasal Decongestants; C009695:xylometazoline