Case Reports in Medicine (Jan 2023)

Neurologic and Thrombotic Complications in the Setting of Chronic Nitrous Oxide Abuse

  • Erin Meier,
  • Monica Malviya,
  • Sukhdeep Kaur,
  • Jacklynn Ibrahim,
  • Andrew Corrigan,
  • Andrew Moawad,
  • Sathya Alekhya Bukkuri,
  • Joshua Trebach,
  • Mark K. Su,
  • Manju Pillai

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5058771
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2023

Abstract

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Nitrous oxide is a commonly used inhaled anesthetic for medical procedures, as well as a drug of abuse throughout the world. Excessive nitrous oxide inhalation has been shown to cause a functional vitamin B12 deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia, which can lead to peripheral neuropathy and hypercoagulability, respectively. While the development of neurologic toxicity from chronic nitrous oxide abuse (i.e., encephalopathy, myelopathy, and neuropathy) has been previously described, the thrombotic potential of chronic nitrous oxide abuse is less known. The authors report two cases of nitrous oxide abuse leading to both neurologic and thrombotic complications.