Unusual pattern of leukoencephalopathy after morphine sulphate intoxication

Neuroradiology. 2000 Nov;42(11):845-8. doi: 10.1007/s002340000442.

Abstract

We report a 14-year-old girl with an unusual pattern of leukoencephalopathy after intentional intoxication with morphine sulphate tablets. Toxicological analysis showed exceedingly high levels of morphine and its metabolites. MRI disclosed a leukoencephalopathy with high signal from the centrum semiovale, corpus callosum and cerebellar white matter on T2-weighted images. These findings could be only partially explained by a hypoxic-ischaemic event; neurotoxic effects must be considered in this atypical leukoencephalopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Ischemia / complications
  • Brain Ischemia / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Morphine / poisoning*
  • Narcotics / poisoning*
  • Necrosis
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / diagnosis*
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / etiology
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / pathology

Substances

  • Narcotics
  • Morphine