Nitrous oxide abuse induced subacute combined degeneration despite patient initiated B12 supplementation

• Published in: Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) Vol. 60; no. 7; pp. 1 - 875
• Main Authors: Temple, Courtney, Horowitz, B Zane
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 03.07.2022
• Subjects: subacute combined degeneration; Nitrous oxide; vitamin B12; laughing gas

Nitrous oxide (N O) is a commonly used inhaled anesthetic that is legal to purchase as a food additive and is popular as a recreational euphoric drug. Abuse causes a functional B12 deficiency, leading to clinical features and imaging consistent with subacute combined spinal cord degeneration (SCD)....