Psychiatric comorbidities in a young man with subacute myelopathy induced by abusive nitrous oxide consumption: a case report

Abstract

Nitrous oxide (N₂O), a long-standing anesthetic, is known for its recreational use, and its consumption is on the rise. Several case studies have reported neurological and psychiatric complications of N₂O use. To date, however, there has not been a study using standardized diagnostic procedures to assess psychiatric comorbidities in a patient consuming N₂O. Here, we report about a 35-year-old male with magnetic resonance imaging confirmed subacute myelopathy induced by N₂O consumption, who suffered from comorbid cannabinoid and nicotine dependence as well as abuse of amphetamines, cocaine, lysergic acid diethylamide, and ketamine. Additionally, there was evidence of a preceding transient psychotic and depressive episode induced by synthetic cannabinoid abuse. In summary, this case raises awareness of an important mechanism of neural toxicity, with which physicians working in the field of substance-related disorders should be familiar. In fact, excluding N₂O toxicity in patients with recognized substance-related disorders and new neurological deficits is compulsory, as untreated for months the damage to the nervous system is at risk of becoming irreversible.

Introduction

Besides its use in anesthesia, nitrous oxide (N₂O) has a long history as a recreational drug. In recent years, an increasing amount of case reports have documented the neurological and psychiatric complications of N₂O use, and myelopathy has been regarded as the most common manifestation (see for a recent review).1 To date, however, there has not been a study using standardized diagnostic procedures to assess psychiatric comorbidities in a patient consuming N₂O. Knowing these comorbidities will help to further characterize the patient population affected, which, in turn, will raise awareness of this mechanism of neural toxicity where it is most relevant.

Case report

A 35-year-old man presented to the department of neurology at Heidelberg University Hospital reporting a 3-day history of progressive symmetrical numbness in his legs, tingling sensations in his legs and hands, imbalance, and difficulty walking. Past medical history was largely inconspicuous for any physical disorder. The patient further reported a 2-month daily habit of inhaling “laughing gas” of up to 50 whipped-cream capsules, each containing 10 mL of 100% N₂O. He bought these capsules at a supermarket nearby and used a whipped-cream utensil to inhale their contents.

Psychiatric assessment using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) and the International Personality Disorder Examination revealed current cannabinoid and nicotine dependence.2,3 Starting in his late teenage years, the patient had consumed a variety of psychotropic substances for approximately 10 years. The following substances met the criteria for substance abuse: amphetamines, cocaine, lysergic acid diethylamide, and ketamine (Tables 1 and 2). In addition, the patient’s current use of N₂O fulfilled the DSM-IV-TR criteria of substance dependence and there was evidence of a transient psychotic episode lasting for 2 weeks with delusions of persecution following the use of synthetic cannabinoids 8 months back and a cannabinoid-induced depressive disorder lasting for 4 weeks 5 months back.

Table 1.

Fulfilled diagnostic criteria of dependence according to DSM-IV-TR of the individual substances consumed by the patient

Substance	Tolerance	Withdrawal	Use despite harm	Larger/longer use than intended	Unsuccessful desire/effort to reduce use	Time to obtain substance or recover from effects	Reduction of social, occupational, or recreational pursuits
Cannabinoid	x	–	x	x	x	x	x
Nicotine	x	x	x	x	–	–	–
Nitrous oxide	x	–	x	x	–	x	x

Note: Diagnostic criteria of dependence according to DSM-IV-TR19 of the individual substances consumed by the patient. An “x” represents fulfillment and “–” absence of the criterion.

Table 2.

Fulfilled diagnostic criteria of abuse according to DSM-IV-TR of the individual substances consumed by the patient

Substance	Recurrent failure to fulfill obligations	Recurrent use when it is physically hazardous	Recurrent substance-related legal problems	Continued use despite recurrent social or interpersonal problems
Amphetamines	x	x	–	–
Cocaine	–	x	–	–
Lysergic acid diethylamide	–	–	–	x
Ketamine	–	x	–	–

Note: Diagnostic criteria of abuse according to DSM-IV-TR19 of the individual substances consumed by the patient. An “x” represents fulfillment and “–” absence of the criterion.

Neurological examination revealed combined ataxic and pyramidal signs comprising a decreased tactile and vibratory sensation of the legs, a dysmetric heel-to-shin test on both sides, a positive Romberg’s sign, a grossly ataxic gait, as well as pathologically brisk tendon reflexes, including bilateral ankle cloni and a slight weakness of the right leg (Medical Research Council [MRC] grade 4+/5). Blood tests revealed a hyperchromic nonanemic macrocytosis, increased bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, low levels of vitamin B₁₂ (B₁₂) at 110×10⁻¹² mol/L (normal, 160–670×10⁻¹² mol/L), normal holotranscobalamin, as well as elevated levels of homocysteine at 64.5×10⁻⁶ mol/L (normal, <12×10⁻⁶ mol/L), and methylmalonic acid at 3,560×10⁻⁹ mol/L (normal, 50–300×10⁻⁹ mol/L). Serum antibodies against parietal cells, intrinsic factor, nuclear (anti-nuclear antibody) or neutrophil cytoplasmic epitopes (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody [ANCA]), double-stranded DNA, or cardiolipin were not detectable, and rheumatoid factor was normal. Cerebrospinal fluid test results were normal for cell count, glucose, and lactate, yet showed a slight increase of protein concentration at 0.69 g/L (normal, <0.4 g/L). Esophagogastroendoscopy did not reveal any evidence of atrophic gastritis.

Except for nonelicitable tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials, neurophysiological test results were all normal; in particular, there were no electroneurographic signs of peripheral neuropathy. A contrast-enhanced cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was normal. However, a spinal MRI showed marked T2W-hyperintense signal alterations confined to the posterior columns of the whole cervical spinal cord without pathological contrast enhancement (Figure 1), also determined as “inverted V” or “rabbit ears” sign.4

Figure 1.

Sagittal (A) and axial (B) T2W-weighted MRI of the cervical spine revealing marked hyperintense posterior columns.

Notes: The dashed line corresponds to the sectional plane of the axial view. The arrows point to the hyperintense signal of the posterior columns.

Abbreviations: T2W, T2-weighted; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.

The patient was diagnosed with subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord induced by N₂O consumption and treated with daily intramuscular B₁₂ injections (1 g/d), physiotherapy, and methionine tablets (1 g/d).5 Shortly after initiating treatment, partial symptom regression was observed and after 7 days the patient was able to walk without support again. The patient was advised to continue taking 400 mg B₁₂ and 1 g methionine per day orally for the following 6 months. Psychoeducative interventions regarding the health consequences of N₂O consumption – which the patient was totally unaware of – were conducted, and an addiction-specific outpatient treatment was set in motion.

At 6-month follow-up, the patient had successfully stayed abstinent from N₂O. He reported substantial symptom alleviation enabling him to walk without any restrictions again. The only remaining complaint was a slight numbness of the left hallux. In accordance with the clinical improvement, the tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials were back to normal, and an MRI scan revealed subtotal remission of the posterior columns’ signal alterations (Figure 2).

Figure 2.

Sagittal (A) and axial (B) T2W-weighted MRI at 6-month follow-up revealing subtotal remission of the posterior columns’ signal alterations.

Notes: The dashed line corresponds to the sectional plane of the axial view. The arrows point to the former hyperintense signal of the posterior columns.

Abbreviations: T2W, T2-weighted; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.

Discussion

For more than 150 years, N₂O has been widely applied in dentistry and surgery for its analgesic and anesthetic properties. N₂O as a substance used for recreational purposes has been around for even longer – so-called “laughing gas parties” fueled by N₂O were particularly popular among the upper-class Londoners back in 1799.6

Inhalation of this colorless gas results in a short-lasting “high” and may cause long-lasting harm. N₂O toxicity includes bone marrow depression, neurological deficits, and an increased risk of coronary heart disease through elevated homocysteine levels. Mechanistically, N₂O oxidizes the cobalt moiety of B₁₂ resulting in inactivation of the vitamin and inhibition of its action as coenzyme of methionine synthase.7 Ultimately, this leads to reduced synthesis of, first, methionine from homocysteine and, second, tetrahydrofolate from methyltetrahydrofolate. Methionine is required for methylation of myelin sheath phospholipids, and its reduced availability causes demyelination and thus myeloneuropathy.8 Reduction of tetrahydrofolate leads to disturbed purine biosynthesis eventuating in megaloblastic anemia, among others. In addition to inactivating the B₁₂ metabolism, N₂O itself has been suggested to possess neurotoxic properties by antagonizing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and overturning the inhibition of major excitatory pathways possibly damaging cerebrocortical neurons.9

In the past, N₂O misuse had been mainly limited to medical workers due to their easy access to it. According to The Global Drugs Survey 2015, however, N₂O has become increasingly popular in the party scene worldwide. The current trend combined with the accessibility of N₂O in whipped-cream chargers easily available in the supermarkets and online should be taken as a serious public health risk and addressed accordingly. The patient described here was completely oblivious to the possible negative health consequences of consuming N₂O owing to the substance being legal in Germany.

In our patient, N₂O dependence was associated with comorbid cannabinoid and nicotine dependence as well as abuse of amphetamines, cocaine, lysergic acid diethylamide, and ketamine. In line with this, the case study by Gillman as well as other case studies described that N₂O is very seldom the only drug misused, it rather forms part of a polydrug abuse picture.5,10–13 Though conceptually debatable, the relevance of polydrug abuse, ie, the “nonmedical abuse of more than one drug”, has long been recognized.14–16 For instance, in a sample of adolescents with alcohol abuse, 96% reported the use of a further drug in addition to alcohol,17 and the likelihood of having any (ie, abusive or dependent) alcohol disorder was almost ten times (odds ratio [OR], 9.9) higher given a comorbid substance dependence.15 As a whole, these data suggest that the odds of N₂O-related disorders may be substantially higher in patients with comorbid substance use disorders.

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial as illustrated by a review of 143 patients with B₁₂ deficiency that found that the severity of remaining neurological deficits (most commonly ataxia and paresthesias) after treatment was strongly related to the duration as well as the severity of symptoms prior to therapy.16 The extent of recovery under treatment in these patients was inversely related to the duration of symptoms.

Conclusion

This case raises awareness of an important mechanism of neural toxicity, with which physicians working in the field of substance-related disorders should be familiar. In fact, we suggest that excluding N₂O toxicity in patients with recognized substance-related disorders and new neurological deficits is compulsory, as untreated for months the damage to the nervous system is at risk of becoming irreversible.18