25 June 2015 : Case report
Cocaine-Induced Acute Fatal Basilar Artery Thrombosis: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature
Challenging differential diagnosis, Unexpected drug reaction, Rare disease, Educational Purpose (only if useful for a systematic review or synthesis)
Saeed Ayed AlqahtaniABCDEF, Kathleen BurgerCDEF, Samuel PotolicchioADFDOI: 10.12659/AJCR.894565
Am J Case Rep 2015; 16:393-397
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cocaine use is a well-known contributing factor for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke; however, basilar artery thrombosis due to cocaine use is a rare entity with few cases reported in the literature.
CASE REPORT: A 75-year-old African-American man with history of hypertension and cocaine use presented to the emergency room with coma. Neurological examination revealed asymmetrical dilated pupils and preserved oculocephalic and gag reflexes. The patient was noted to have semi-rhythmic jerking movement of the right arm and extensor posturing in response to noxious stimuli. Non-contrast computed tomography (CT) of the brain showed hyperdense basilar sign consistent with acute thrombosis. On brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), he was found to have bilateral pons acute ischemic stroke with early petechial hemorrhagic conversion. His laboratory work-up was unremarkable except for positive cocaine in the urine toxicology screen test.
CONCLUSIONS: Cocaine is a common global illicit drug that may trigger acute basilar artery thrombosis leading to a catastrophic neurological outcome.
Keywords: Basilar Artery, Cocaine - adverse effects, Diagnosis, Differential, Fatal Outcome, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Thrombosis - diagnosis, Tomography, X-Ray Computed
In Press
12 Mar 2024 : Case report
Successful Treatment of Lithium-Induced Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus with Celecoxib: A Promising Therapeu...Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943244
13 Mar 2024 : Case report
Recurrent Marginal Zone Lymphoma with Bone Marrow Involvement Detected by ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and Biopsy: A Diag...Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943275
13 Mar 2024 : Case report
Unveiling the Temporal Aspect of MRI Tattoo Reactions: A Prospective Evaluation of a Newly-Acquired Tattoo ...Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943411
13 Mar 2024 : Case report
Cardiac and Intramuscular Metastases Following Nephroureterectomy for Metachronous Urothelial CarcinomaAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942864
Most Viewed Current Articles
07 Mar 2024 : Case report
Neurocysticercosis Presenting as Migraine in the United StatesDOI :10.12659/AJCR.943133
Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e943133
10 Jan 2022 : Case report
A Report on the First 7 Sequential Patients Treated Within the C-Reactive Protein Apheresis in COVID (CACOV...DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935263
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935263
19 Jul 2022 : Case report
Atlantoaxial Subluxation Secondary to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Rare Orthopedic Complication from COVID-19DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936128
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936128
23 Feb 2022 : Case report
Penile Necrosis Associated with Local Intravenous Injection of CocaineDOI :10.12659/AJCR.935250
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935250