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Devastating Delayed Leukoencephalopathy Associated with Bath Salt Inhalation

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Abstract

Background

“Bath salts” or synthetic cathinone toxicity remains a potentially deadly clinical condition. We report a delayed leukoencephalopathy with persistent minimally conscious state.

Methods

Case report.

Results

A 36-year-old man presents with delayed encephalopathy, dysautonomia, fulminant hepatic failure, and renal failure from severe rhabdomyolysis after consuming bath salts. MRI showed diffusion restriction in the splenium of the corpus callosum and subcortical white matter.

Conclusions

The combination of acute leukoencephalopathy, rhabdomyolysis and fulminant hepatic failure may point to bath salt inhalation and should be known to neurointensivists.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Critical Care Neurology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN, USA

    C. L. Kramer & E. F. M. Wijdicks

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Critical Care, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN, USA

    D. R. Wetzel

Authors
  1. C. L. Kramer
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  2. D. R. Wetzel
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  3. E. F. M. Wijdicks
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Correspondence to C. L. Kramer.

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Kramer, C.L., Wetzel, D.R. & Wijdicks, E.F.M. Devastating Delayed Leukoencephalopathy Associated with Bath Salt Inhalation. Neurocrit Care 24, 454–458 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-015-0226-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-015-0226-6

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