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
19 Mar 2024 : Case report
Medial Hoffa Fracture: A Case Report and Literature Review of Approach and ManagementAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943136
21 Mar 2024 : Case report
Pediatric Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema After Brain Tumor Removal Complicated with Severe Myocardial Injury: A...Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943645
21 Mar 2024 : Case report
Chlamydia psittaci Pneumonia: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Challenges in the Context of COVID-19Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942921
22 Mar 2024 : Case report
Sleep Disorders and Traffic Accidents: Unveiling the Hidden RisksAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943346
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