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AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

Publication Preview: Published November 5, 2009

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American Journal of Neuroradiology
DOI 10.3174/ajnr.A1889

BRAIN

Methadone-Induced Toxic Leukoencephalopathy: MR Imaging and MR Proton Spectroscopy Findings

R.A. Salgado, P.G. Jorens, I. Baar, P. Cras, G. Hans and P.M. Parizel

From the Departments of Radiology (R.A.S., P.M.P.), Critical Care Medicine (P.G.J.), Neurology and Born Bunge Institute Faculty of Medicine, (I.B., P.C.), and Multidisciplinary Pain Center (G.H.), Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.

Please address correspondence to Rodrigo A. Salgado, MD, Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium; e-mail: rodrigo.salgado{at}uza.be or rodrigo.salgado{at}scarlet.be

SUMMARY: We report the clinical, MR imaging, and proton MR spectroscopy findings in a middle-aged woman with proved methadone-induced toxic leukoencephalopathy. The imaging characteristics of this unusual condition have been reported only rarely in the medical literature. We show that the imaging findings in methadone-induced toxic leukoencephalopathy are similar, though not identical, to previously reported cases of neurologic deterioration due to heroin inhalation.

Abbreviations: NAA, N-acetylaspartate