Myelopathy caused by nitrous oxide toxicity

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1998 May;19(5):894-6.

Abstract

We describe a case of myeloneuropathy resulting from nitrous oxide abuse. MR imaging of the spine revealed symmetric abnormal signal in the posterior columns of the cervical cord. Myeloneuropathy is caused by inactivation of vitamin B12 by nitrous oxide. This syndrome can also be seen in patients with borderline vitamin B12 deficiency who have recently been anesthetized with nitrous oxide.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neck
  • Nitrous Oxide / poisoning*
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / drug therapy
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Vitamin B 12 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vitamin B 12 / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Vitamin B 12