Drug-induced myelopathy has been reported widely for heroin use, but less frequently for amphetamines or fentanyl. Hyperglycemia-induced acute myelopathy has not previously been described.
We present a case of toxic/metabolic myelopathy secondary to the aforementioned results in a patient presenting for tertiary inpatient rehabilitation.
A 28-year-old man with Type 1 Diabetes without complications and polysubstance use (fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine) presented to hospital with quadriparesis and anesthesia. Patient reported he fell down a flight of stairs while using substances and remained on the ground for hours-days as he was acutely paralyzed when he awoke. Initial examination demonstrated a C5 motor level. Pan-CT demonstrated no intracranial or spinous abnormalities. MRI with gadolinium showed cord edema from C1-T4 and patchy enhancement from C4-C7 without cord compression. Diffusion restriction and hemorrhagic transformation were later seen in C4-C7. Initial blood glucose was 66 with no serum ketones. Serum toxicology was negative and urine toxicology was positive for amphetamines and fentanyl. Autoimmune and infectious workups were negative. He received 5 days of pulse steroids and 7 sessions of plasmapheresis with minimal functional or neurological improvement. He was admitted to rehabilitation as a C5 AIS-B and did not exhibit further improvement in motor or sensory function over 3 months of active inpatient rehab.
Given the pattern of cord enhancement with hemorrhagic transformation, this injury most likely represents acute myelitis induced by hyperglycemia and amphetamines/fentanyl. To our knowledge, this is the first case report where hyperglycemia may have contributed to acute myelopathy.
