Abstract
The article describes the clinical case of severe toxic polyneuropathy due to a confirmed exogenous intoxication with amphetamine in a 52-year-old man. The clinical picture included muscle weakness in several muscle groups (neck, back, arms, legs, and respiratory muscles), respiratory failure (requiring mechanical ventilation), rhabdomyolysis, mild nephropathy, and liver cytolysis. Differential diagnosis was made between myasthenia gravis, myopathy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A course of intensive therapy led to almost complete regression of signs and symptoms and improved the electroneuromyographic pattern. An immunochromatographic urine drug screen was performed in view of the rapid partial regression of signs and symptoms and results of a neurophysiological study; the patient tested positive for amphetamine. The clinical case demonstrates rare complications of amphetamine use, which should be kept in mind during a diagnostic search.
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Ryabinkina, Y.V., Zakharova, M.N., Polishchuk, R.V. et al. Critical Neurological Conditions: Severe Toxic Polyneuropathy with the Development of Respiratory Failure and Rhabdomyolysis. Hum Physiol 48, 952–955 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0362119722080114
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0362119722080114