Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology

  • 제23권2호
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  • Pages.108-116
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  • 2021
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  • 2508-691X(pISSN)
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  • 2508-6960(eISSN)
대한임상신경생리학회 (The Korean Society of Clinical Neurophysiology)
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Spectrum of nitrous oxide intoxication related neurological disorders in Korea: a case series and literature review

  • Lee, Jungsoo (Department of Neurology, Hanyang Univeresity College of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Yangmi (Department of Neurology, Seoul Metropolitan Government Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Hyunkee (Department of Neurology, Hanyang Univeresity College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Nakhoon (Department of Neurology, Hanyang Univeresity College of Medicine) ;
  • Sung, Wonjae (Department of Neurology, Hanyang Univeresity College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Sanggon (Department of Neurology, Hanyang Univeresity College of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Jinseok (Department of Neurology, Hanyang Univeresity College of Medicine)
  • 투고 : 2021.06.14
  • 심사 : 2021.07.29
  • 발행 : 2021.10.31
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초록

Background: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is used in surgery and dentistry for its anesthetic and analgesic effects. However, neurological and psychiatric manifestations of N2O abuse have been increasingly reported among Korean adults. The aim of this study was to demonstrate laboratory findings of N2O abuse in Korean patients. Methods: Patients diagnosed with N2O-induced neuropathy or myelopathy from August 2018 to December 2019 were enrolled. Their clinical presentations and laboratory and imaging findings were analyzed. Results: Sensory changes and limb weakness were present in nine of the enrolled patients. The laboratory findings revealed that seven patients had high homocysteine levels and five had high methylmalonic acid levels in their blood. Nerve conductions studies indicated that axonal neuropathy was present in four cases and longer F-wave and Hoffman's-reflex latencies were present in two cases. Signal changes in cervical spine imaging occurred in five patients, while two had normal results. Conclusions: Chronic N2O abuse can cause neurological damage or psychiatric problems. Because N2O is illegal for recreational use in Korea, patients tend to hide their history of use. Even though the spinal imaging results were normal, clinicians should consider the possibility of N2O use, and further electrophysiological tests should be applied for precise evaluations.

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과제정보

This work was supported by the research fund of Hanyang University(HY-202100000001136).

참고문헌

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