Methadone-induced toxic leukoencephalopathy: MR imaging and MR proton spectroscopy findings

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2010 Mar;31(3):565-6. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A1889. Epub 2009 Nov 5.

Abstract

We report the clinical, MR imaging, and proton MR spectroscopy findings in a middle-aged woman with proved methadone-induced toxic leukoencephalopathy. The imaging characteristics of this unusual condition have been reported only rarely in the medical literature. We show that the imaging findings in methadone-induced toxic leukoencephalopathy are similar, though not identical, to previously reported cases of neurologic deterioration due to heroin inhalation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Analgesics, Opioid / adverse effects*
  • Aspartic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Aspartic Acid / metabolism
  • Choline / metabolism
  • Creatine / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukoencephalopathies* / chemically induced
  • Leukoencephalopathies* / metabolism
  • Leukoencephalopathies* / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy*
  • Methadone / adverse effects*
  • Protons

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Protons
  • Aspartic Acid
  • N-acetylaspartate
  • Creatine
  • Choline
  • Methadone