Back to Journals » Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation » Volume 7

Psychiatric comorbidities in a young man with subacute myelopathy induced by abusive nitrous oxide consumption: a case report

Authors Mancke F, Kaklauskaitė G, Kollmer J, Weiler M

Received 6 June 2016

Accepted for publication 2 August 2016

Published 29 September 2016 Volume 2016:7 Pages 155—159

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/SAR.S114404

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 3

Editor who approved publication: Professor Li-Tzy Wu



Falk Mancke,1,2,* Gintare Kaklauskaite,1,* Jennifer Kollmer,3 Markus Weiler1

1Department of Neurology, 2Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, 3Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Abstract: Nitrous oxide (N2O), a long-standing anesthetic, is known for its recreational use, and its consumption is on the rise. Several case studies have reported neurological and psychiatric complications of N2O use. To date, however, there has not been a study using standardized diagnostic procedures to assess psychiatric comorbidities in a patient consuming N2O. Here, we report about a 35-year-old male with magnetic resonance imaging confirmed subacute myelopathy induced by N2O consumption, who suffered from comorbid cannabinoid and nicotine dependence as well as abuse of amphetamines, cocaine, lysergic acid diethylamide, and ketamine. Additionally, there was evidence of a preceding transient psychotic and depressive episode induced by synthetic cannabinoid abuse. In summary, this case raises awareness of an important mechanism of neural toxicity, with which physicians working in the field of ­substance-related disorders should be familiar. In fact, excluding N2O toxicity in patients with recognized substance-related disorders and new neurological deficits is compulsory, as untreated for months the damage to the nervous system is at risk of becoming irreversible.

Keywords: addictive disorders, laughing gas, subacute combined degeneration, substance use disorder, vitamin B12 deficiency

Introduction

Besides its use in anesthesia, nitrous oxide (N2O) has a long history as a recreational drug. In recent years, an increasing amount of case reports have documented the neurological and psychiatric complications of N2O use, and myelopathy has been regarded as the most common manifestation (see for a recent review).1 To date, however, there has not been a study using standardized diagnostic procedures to assess psychiatric comorbidities in a patient consuming N2O. Knowing these comorbidities will help to further characterize the patient population affected, which, in turn, will raise awareness of this mechanism of neural toxicity where it is most relevant.

Case report

A 35-year-old man presented to the department of neurology at Heidelberg University Hospital reporting a 3-day history of progressive symmetrical numbness in his legs, tingling sensations in his legs and hands, imbalance, and difficulty walking. Past medical history was largely inconspicuous for any physical disorder. The patient further reported a 2-month daily habit of inhaling “laughing gas” of up to 50 whipped-cream capsules, each containing 10 mL of 100% N2O. He bought these capsules at a supermarket nearby and used a whipped-cream utensil to inhale their contents.

Psychiatric assessment using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) and the International Personality Disorder Examination revealed current cannabinoid and nicotine dependence.2,3 Starting in his late teenage years, the patient had consumed a variety of psychotropic substances for approximately 10 years. The following substances met the criteria for substance abuse: amphetamines, cocaine, lysergic acid diethylamide, and ketamine (Tables 1 and 2). In addition, the patient’s current use of N2O fulfilled the DSM-IV-TR criteria of substance dependence and there was evidence of a transient psychotic episode lasting for 2 weeks with delusions of persecution following the use of synthetic cannabinoids 8 months back and a cannabinoid-induced depressive disorder lasting for 4 weeks 5 months back.

Table 1 Fulfilled diagnostic criteria of dependence according to DSM-IV-TR of the individual substances consumed by the patient


Note: Diagnostic criteria of dependence according to DSM-IV-TR19 of the individual substances consumed by the patient. An “x” represents fulfillment and “–” absence of the criterion.

Table 2 Fulfilled diagnostic criteria of abuse according to DSM-IV-TR of the individual substances consumed by the patient


Note: Diagnostic criteria of abuse according to DSM-IV-TR19 of the individual substances consumed by the patient. An “x” represents fulfillment and “–” absence of the criterion.

Neurological examination revealed combined ataxic and pyramidal signs comprising a decreased tactile and vibratory sensation of the legs, a dysmetric heel-to-shin test on both sides, a positive Romberg’s sign, a grossly ataxic gait, as well as pathologically brisk tendon reflexes, including bilateral ankle cloni and a slight weakness of the right leg (Medical Research Council [MRC] grade 4+/5). Blood tests revealed a hyperchromic nonanemic macrocytosis, increased bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, low levels of vitamin B12 (B12) at 110×10–12 mol/L (normal, 160–670×10–12 mol/L), normal holotranscobalamin, as well as elevated levels of homocysteine at 64.5×10–6 mol/L (normal, <12×10–6 mol/L), and methylmalonic acid at 3,560×10–9 mol/L (normal, 50–300×10–9 mol/L). Serum antibodies against parietal cells, intrinsic factor, nuclear (anti-nuclear antibody) or neutrophil cytoplasmic epitopes (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody [ANCA]), double-stranded DNA, or cardiolipin were not detectable, and rheumatoid factor was normal. Cerebrospinal fluid test results were normal for cell count, glucose, and lactate, yet showed a slight increase of protein concentration at 0.69 g/L (normal, <0.4 g/L). Esophagogastroendoscopy did not reveal any evidence of atrophic gastritis.

Except for nonelicitable tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials, neurophysiological test results were all normal; in particular, there were no electroneurographic signs of peripheral neuropathy. A contrast-enhanced cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was normal. However, a spinal MRI showed marked T2W-hyperintense signal alterations confined to the posterior columns of the whole cervical spinal cord without pathological contrast enhancement (Figure 1), also determined as “inverted V” or “rabbit ears” sign.4

Figure 1 Sagittal (A) and axial (B) T2W-weighted MRI of the cervical spine revealing marked hyperintense posterior columns.


Notes: The dashed line corresponds to the sectional plane of the axial view. The arrows point to the hyperintense signal of the posterior columns.


Abbreviations: T2W, T2-weighted; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.

The patient was diagnosed with subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord induced by N2O consumption and treated with daily intramuscular B12 injections (1 g/d), physiotherapy, and methionine tablets (1 g/d).5 Shortly after initiating treatment, partial symptom regression was observed and after 7 days the patient was able to walk without support again. The patient was advised to continue taking 400 mg B12 and 1 g methionine per day orally for the following 6 months. Psychoeducative interventions regarding the health consequences of N2O consumption – which the patient was totally unaware of – were conducted, and an addiction-specific outpatient treatment was set in motion.

At 6-month follow-up, the patient had successfully stayed abstinent from N2O. He reported substantial symptom alleviation enabling him to walk without any restrictions again. The only remaining complaint was a slight numbness of the left hallux. In accordance with the clinical improvement, the tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials were back to normal, and an MRI scan revealed subtotal remission of the posterior columns’ signal alterations (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Sagittal (A) and axial (B) T2W-weighted MRI at 6-month follow-up revealing subtotal remission of the posterior columns’ signal alterations.


Notes: The dashed line corresponds to the sectional plane of the axial view. The arrows point to the former hyperintense signal of the posterior columns.


Abbreviations: T2W, T2-weighted; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.

Discussion

For more than 150 years, N2O has been widely applied in dentistry and surgery for its analgesic and anesthetic properties. N2O as a substance used for recreational purposes has been around for even longer – so-called “laughing gas parties” fueled by N2O were particularly popular among the upper-class Londoners back in 1799.6

Inhalation of this colorless gas results in a short-lasting “high” and may cause long-lasting harm. N2O toxicity includes bone marrow depression, neurological deficits, and an increased risk of coronary heart disease through elevated homocysteine levels. Mechanistically, N2O oxidizes the cobalt moiety of B12 resulting in inactivation of the vitamin and inhibition of its action as coenzyme of methionine synthase.7 Ultimately, this leads to reduced synthesis of, first, methionine from homocysteine and, second, tetrahydrofolate from methyltetrahydrofolate. Methionine is required for methylation of myelin sheath phospholipids, and its reduced availability causes demyelination and thus myeloneuropathy.8 Reduction of tetrahydrofolate leads to disturbed purine biosynthesis eventuating in megaloblastic anemia, among others. In addition to inactivating the B12 metabolism, N2O itself has been suggested to possess neurotoxic properties by antagonizing N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors and overturning the inhibition of major excitatory pathways possibly damaging cerebrocortical neurons.9

In the past, N2O misuse had been mainly limited to medical workers due to their easy access to it. According to The Global Drugs Survey 2015, however, N2O has become increasingly popular in the party scene worldwide. The current trend combined with the accessibility of N2O in whipped-cream chargers easily available in the supermarkets and online should be taken as a serious public health risk and addressed accordingly. The patient described here was completely oblivious to the possible negative health consequences of consuming N2O owing to the substance being legal in Germany.

In our patient, N2O dependence was associated with comorbid cannabinoid and nicotine dependence as well as abuse of amphetamines, cocaine, lysergic acid diethylamide, and ketamine. In line with this, the case study by Gillman as well as other case studies described that N2O is very seldom the only drug misused, it rather forms part of a polydrug abuse picture.5,1013 Though conceptually debatable, the relevance of polydrug abuse, ie, the “nonmedical abuse of more than one drug”, has long been recognized.1416 For instance, in a sample of adolescents with alcohol abuse, 96% reported the use of a further drug in addition to alcohol,17 and the likelihood of having any (ie, abusive or dependent) alcohol disorder was almost ten times (odds ratio [OR], 9.9) higher given a comorbid substance dependence.15 As a whole, these data suggest that the odds of N2O-related disorders may be substantially higher in patients with comorbid substance use disorders.

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial as illustrated by a review of 143 patients with B12 deficiency that found that the severity of remaining neurological deficits (most commonly ataxia and paresthesias) after treatment was strongly related to the duration as well as the severity of symptoms prior to therapy.16 The extent of recovery under treatment in these patients was inversely related to the duration of symptoms.

Conclusion

This case raises awareness of an important mechanism of neural toxicity, with which physicians working in the field of substance-related disorders should be familiar. In fact, we suggest that excluding N2O toxicity in patients with recognized substance-related disorders and new neurological deficits is compulsory, as untreated for months the damage to the nervous system is at risk of becoming irreversible.18

Acknowledgment

The patient provided written informed consent to use the information and images in this case study. The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg within the funding programme Open Access Publishing. JK was supported by a research grant from the Amyloidosis Foundation.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

References

1.

Garakani A, Jaffe RJ, Savla D, et al. Neurologic, psychiatric, and other medical manifestations of nitrous oxide abuse: a systematic review of the case literature. Am J Addict. 2016:25(5):358–369.

2.

Loranger AW, Sartorius N, Andreoli A, et al. The international personality disorder examination. The World Health Organization/Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration international pilot study of personality disorders. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1994;51(1):215–224.

3.

First M, Spitzer R, Gibbon M, Williams J. Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). New York, NY: Biometrics Research Department, New York State Psychiatric Institute; 1997.

4.

Kumar A, Singh AK. Teaching neuroimage: inverted v sign in subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord. Neurology. 2009;72(1):e4.

5.

Butzkueven H, King JO. Nitrous oxide myelopathy in an abuser of whipped cream bulbs. J Clin Neurosci. 2000;7(1):73–75.

6.

Jay M. “O, Excellent Air Bag”: Humphry Davy and Nitrous Oxide. Available from: http://publicdomainreview.org/2014/08/06/o-excellent-air-bag-humphry-davy-and-nitrous-oxide/. Accessed July 19, 2016.

7.

Nunn JF. Clinical aspects of the interaction between nitrous oxide and vitamin B12. Br J Anaesth. 1987;59(1):3–13.

8.

Louis-Ferdinand RT. Myelotoxic, neurotoxic and reproductive adverse effects of nitrous oxide. Adverse Drug React Toxicol Rev. 1994;13(4):193–206.

9.

Jevtović-Todorović V, Todorović SM, Mennerick S, et al. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is an NMDA antagonist, neuroprotectant and neurotoxin. Nat Med. 1998;4(4):460–463.

10.

Garakani A, Welch AK, Jaffe RJ, Protin CA, McDowell DM. Psychosis and low cyanocobalamin in a patient abusing nitrous oxide and cannabis. Psychosomatics. 2014;55(6):715–719.

11.

Ng J, Frith R. Nanging. Lancet. 2002;360(9330):384.

12.

Gillman M. Nitrous oxide abuse in perspective. Clin Neuropharmacol. 1992;15(4):297–306.

13.

Gillman M. Polydrug abuse associated with nitrous oxide causes death. Oxf Med Case Reports. 2016;2016(6):117.

14.

Kaufman E. The abuse of multiple drugs. I. Definition, classification, and extent of problem. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 1976;3(2):279–292.

15.

Stinson FS, Grant BF, Dawson DA, Ruan WJ, Huang B, Saha T. Comorbidity between DSM-IV alcohol and specific drug use disorders in the United States: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2005;80(1):105–116.

16.

Ives R, Ghelani P. Polydrug use (the use of drugs in combination): a brief review. Drugs Educ Prev Policy. 2006;13(3):225–232.

17.

Martin CS, Arria AM, Mezzich AC, Bukstein OG. Patterns of polydrug use in adolescent alcohol abusers. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 1993;19(4):511–521.

18.

Kumar N. Neurologic aspects of cobalamin (B12) deficiency. Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;120(4):915–926.

19.

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV-TR. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2000.

Creative Commons License © 2016 The Author(s). This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.