Abstract
We describe the case of a young man addicted to heroin with the clinical pattern of symmetrical brachial neuropathy, without other neurological involvement. Lead poisoning was detected and chelating therapy induced a marked improvement of the clinical symptoms.
The possible toxic effect of heavy metals in the pathogenesis of brachial and lumbar plexopathies during heroin addiction has previously been suggested by other authors, but never detected.
Sommario
Viene descritto il caso di un giovane paziente che ha presentato una neuropatia brachiale simmetrica, senza altri coinvolgimenti neurologici, in concomitanza con l'uso di eroina. In questo paziente è stata evidenziata una intossicazione da piombo e il trattamento chelante ha determinato un notevole miglioramento del quadro clinico.
L'effetto tossico dei metalli pesanti nella patogenesi delle plessopatie brachiali e lombari nei soggetti eroinomani è già stata prospettata da altri Autori, ma mai dimostrata.
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Antonini, G., Palmieri, G., Millefiorini, E. et al. Lead poisoning during heroin addiction. Ital J Neuro Sci 10, 105–108 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02333882
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02333882