title: Recurrent leukoencephalopathy in a cocaine abuser.
abstract: We report the case of a cocaine abuser who presented two consecutive episodes of acute leukoencephalopathy, documented by serial MRI, with favourable outcome. Clinical findings and brain imaging led to the diagnosis of cocaine-induced toxic leukoencephalopathy and other possible mimickers have been excluded on the basis of clinical assessment. The patient's unexpected recovery on neurological and neuropsychological examination, despite initially severe neurological symptoms, is striking and differs from more common reports of a rapid progression to death. Of note, case presented in the peculiar form of recurrent episodes of acute leukoencephalopathy, with favourable outcome, which, to our knowledge, has not been described yet. We speculate about the aetiology of this condition, which is still poorly understood.
authors: Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Neurology Section, University of Rome Sapienza, Viale Università 30, Rome, Italy. federico.bianco@uniroma1.it
authors: Federico
authors: F
authors: Bianco
authors: Elisa
authors: E
authors: Iacovelli
authors: Emanuele
authors: E
authors: Tinelli
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Lepre
authors: Flavia
authors: F
authors: Pauri
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D056784:Leukoencephalopathies / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence