Case report: Neurological complications of funky ball abuse were diagnosed and treated in 108 Central Military Hospital

  • Huong Vu Quynh Bệnh viện Trung ương Quân đội 108
  • Linh Pham Cam Dieu Bệnh viện Trung ương Quân đội 108

Main Article Content

Keywords

Funky ball, peripheral neuropathy due to the use of nitrous oxide

Abstract

Funky ball is a type of balloon pumped with N2O gas (nitrous oxide) which is commonly used by young people in recent years, N2O gas causes nervous excitement, creating a feeling of wanting to laugh when inhaled so it is called laughing gas. A 22-year-old male patient with a history of using funky ball was admitted to hospital with symptoms of limb paresthesia, cramps and difficulty walking. Clinical and paraclinical results show that he has subacute nerve damage due to abusing nitrous oxide (funky ball). Treatment with vitamin B12, rehabilitation and monitor neurological damage. The disease improves clinical symptoms after treatment.

Article Details

References

1. Pema PJ, Horak HA, Wyatt RH (1998) Myelopathy caused by nitrous oxide toxicity. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 19(5): 894-896.
2. Senol MG, Sonmez G, Ozdag F, Saracoglu M (2008) Reversible myelopathy with vitamin B12 deficiency. Singapore Med J 49(11): 330-332.
3. Anahid S, Farhad E (2013) Clinical and MRI manifestations of nitrous oxide induced vitamin B12 deficiency: A case report. Iran J Neurol 12(3): 111-113.
4. Jackson AM, John AR (2018) Peripheral neuropathy due to recreational use of nitrous oxide presenting after an ankle sprain with foot drop. Orthopedics 41(3): 432-433.
5. Li HT et al (2016) Clinical and electrodiagnostic characteristics of nitrous oxide - induced neuropathy in Taiwan. Clin Neurophysiol.
6. Alexander G Thompson, M Isabel Leite, Michael P Lunn, David L H Bennett (2015) Whippits, nitrous oxide and the dangers of legal highs. Practical Neurology 15: 157-157.
7. Green R, Kinsella LJ (1995) Current concepts in the diagnosis of cobalamin deficiency. Neurology 45(8): 1435-1440.
8. Katherine S (2016) Case report: Neurological complications of nitrous oxide abuse. BCMJ 58(4): 192-194.
9. Blanco G, Peters HA (1983) Myeloneuropathy and macrocytosis associated with nitrous oxide abuse. Arch Neurol 40: 416-418.
10. Morris N, Lynch K, Greenberg SA (2015) Severe motor neuropathy or neuronopathy due to nitrous oxide toxicity after correction of vitamin B12 deficiency. Muscle Nerve 51: 614-616.