Cocaine leukoencephalopathy
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Cocaine leukoencephalopathy. Toxicity is probably caused by levamisole in adulterated cocaine. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
Pathogenesis
- Toxicity is probably caused by levamisole in adulterated cocaine
- It may cause a recurrent encephalopathy
Clinical features
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain: features
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Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS): features
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Differential diagnosis
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Other features of cocaine toxicity
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References
- González-Duarte A, Williams R. Cocaine-induced recurrent leukoencephalopathy. Neuroradiol J 2013; 26:511-513.
- Vitt JR, Brown EG, Chow DS, Josephson SA. Confirmed case of levamisole-associated multifocal inflammatory leukoencephalopathy in a cocaine user. J Neuroimmunol 2017; 305:128-130.
- Vosoughi R, Schmidt BJ. Multifocal leukoencephalopathy in cocaine users: a report of two cases and review of the literature. BMC Neurol 2015; 15:208.
- Bianco F, Iacovelli E, Tinelli E, Lepre C, Pauri F. Recurrent leukoencephalopathy in a cocaine abuser. Neurotoxicology 2011; 32:410-412.
- Cheng YC, Ryan KA, Qadwai SA, et al. Cocaine use and risk of ischemic stroke in young adults. Stroke 2016; 47:918-922.
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