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Whippits, nitrous oxide and the dangers of legal highs
  1. Alexander G Thompson1,
  2. M Isabel Leite2,
  3. Michael P Lunn3,
  4. David L H Bennett2
  1. 1Department of Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
  2. 2Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
  3. 3MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Alexander G Thompson, Department of Neurology, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; alexander.thompson{at}doctors.net.uk

Abstract

Nitrous oxide is increasingly being used as a recreational drug. Prolonged use of nitrous oxide can have disabling neurological sequelae due to functional inactivation of vitamin B12. We present three cases illustrating the neurological complications of using nitrous oxide. Two of these patients received nitrous oxide as a consequence of repeated hospital attendance and the third via ‘Whippit’ canisters used in cream dispensers, which are now widely available. Two patients developed sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy with demyelinating features with no clinical or imaging evidence of myelopathy, emphasising that not all patients develop subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord (the typical presentation of functional vitamin B12 deficiency). The diagnosis was based upon the history of nitrous oxide use and raised levels of homocysteine and/or methylmalonic acid. All patients were treated with parenteral vitamin B12 with partial recovery, though two were left significantly disabled.

  • NEUROPATHY
  • TOXICOLOGY

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    Phil Smith Geraint N Fuller