Cerebral infarctions associated with intravenous use of methamphetamine.

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 16(5); 1998 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1998;16(5): 701-705.

메트암페타민 정맥주사 남용후 발생한 뇌경색 2례.

김종환, 김동선, 김상진, 예종수, 김성은, 김응규, 허 경

인제 대학교 의과대학부속 부산 백병원 신경과학 교실

Cerebral infarctions associated with intravenous use of methamphetamine.

Jong-Hwan Kim, M.D., Dong-Seon Kim, M.D., Sang-Jin Kim, M.D. Jong-Su Ye,M.D. Seung-Eun Kim, M.D. Oeung-Kyu Kim, M.D., Kyoung Heo, M.D.

Department of Neurology, Pusan Paik Hospital, Jnje University of Medicine.

Abstract

Methamphetamine is one of the most popular abuse drug in the South Korea. Intracranial hemorrhage or ischemic stroke have been well known as one of the complications with methamphetamine abuse. We experienced two cases with cerebral vasculopathy which had developed after intravenous use of methamphetamine. The first patient was a previously healthy 20-year-old woman, who was admitted because of drowsy mentality with left hemiparesis and dysarthria. The second patient was a 24-year-old man who was admitted because of seizure and left extremity weakness. They reported several intravenous administration of methamphetamine during previous months. In both case, brain CT showed cerebral infarction compatible with vascular territories. And also, carotid angiographys demonstrated that multiple intracranial vessels were involved with narrowing and stenotic nature, consisting with vasculitis in the both cases. Key word: methamphetamine, cerebral infarction, intravenous use