Subacute Combined Degeneration Caused by Nitrous Oxide Intoxication: A Report of Two Cases

Abstract

We report two cases of subacute combined degeneration (SCD) caused by nitrous oxide (N₂O) gas intoxication, which is rarely reported in Korea. Two patients recreationally inhaled N₂O gas daily for several months. They presented with paresthesia of limbs, voiding difficulty, and gait disturbance. The initial vitamin B₁₂ levels were normal or decreased, but homocysteine levels of the two patients were increased. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine showed T2-weighted hyperintensity in the bilateral dorsal columns of the cervical spinal cord. Electromyography and somatosensory evoked potential tests for both patients suggested posterior column lesion of the spinal cord combined with sensorimotor polyneuropathy. According to these findings, we concluded that the two patients had SCD. The patient’s symptoms partially improved after cessation of N₂O gas inhalation and the receiving of vitamin B₁₂ supplementation therapy. As the incidence of recreational N₂O gas inhalation is increasing in Korea, physicians must be alert to the N₂O induced SCD in patients presenting with progressive myelopathy.

INTRODUCTION

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is frequently used as an analgesic during dental procedures, but it is often misused overseas for recreation [1]. N₂O inactivates active vitamin B₁₂, which is a cofactor for methionine synthase that methylated myelin sheath phospholipids [2]. Therefore, overuse of N₂O can lead to a decrease in active vitamin B₁₂ and, ultimately, to the demyelination of the central and peripheral nervous systems [2].

Subacute combined degeneration (SCD) is a condition with combined myelopathy and peripheral neuropathy, mostly caused by vitamin B₁₂ deficiency [1]. Severe deficiency of vitamin B₁₂ can lead to axonal loss in the posterolateral column of the spinal cord and cause symptoms such as ataxia, paresthesia, and muscular weakness [3,4].

We report two cases of SCD due to daily recreational N₂O inhalation over several months, which is rare in Korea.

CASE REPORTS

Case 1

A 24-year-old male was admitted to the emergency center with paresthesia of all limbs, voiding difficulty, and gait disturbance for 1 month. The patient did not have a significant medical illness or any medication abuse history. However, the patient had a 5-month history of daily recreational N₂O inhalation.

Manual muscle test (MMT) of all limbs was normal. Light touch, proprioception, temperature, and pain sensory examinations were normal, but deep touch sensation of the patient’s feet was decreased. Moreover, the patient stated that he felt as if he was walking on sand when he attempted mobility. He complained of paresthesia and showed an ataxic gait. The Romberg test was positive, and tandem gait could not be performed properly. Deep tendon reflexes were hyperreflexic at all four limbs. The Hoffmann and Babinski signs were not present.

The patient blood tests showed hemoglobin 13.1 g/dL (normal range, 13–17 g/dL); red blood cell count 3.54×10⁶/mm³ (4.3–5.6 ×10⁶/mm³); mean corpuscular volume 103.7 fL (83–99 fL); mean corpuscular hemoglobin 37 pg (28–34 pg); vitamin B₁₂ (cobalamin) 308 pg/mL (211–911 pg/mL), homocysteine 45.23 µmol/L (5–15 µmol/L). Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was normal, but T2-weighted MRI of the cervical spine showed inverted Vshaped hyperintensity in the bilateral dorsal columns over the entire cervical spinal cord (Fig. 1). Based on the patient’s symptoms, blood test results and MRI findings, he was diagnosed with SCD. For the treatment, he received daily injections of vitamin B₁₂ 1 mg over 1 week. Serum vitamin B₁₂ level subsequently increased to over 20,000 pg/mL.

Fig. 1.

In case 1, the cervical spine T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed an inverted Vshaped hyperintensity (arrow) in the bilateral dorsal column of cervical spinal cord: (A) sagittal view and (B) axial view at C2 level.

An electrodiagnostic study was performed approximately 6 weeks from the onset of symptoms. Sensory nerve conduction studies showed delayed peak latencies of bilateral sural and superficial peroneal sensory nerve action potentials (SNAP). Motor nerve conduction studies showed delayed onset latencies of bilateral tibial compound muscle action potentials (CMAP), and decreased conduction velocities of tibial nerve (Table 1). SNAPs and CMAPs of bilateral upper extremities were normal. The H-reflex measured in gastrocnemius muscle was bilaterally unreactive. N20 and P37 latencies were delayed in median and tibial somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP), bilaterally (Table 2). A needle electromyography (EMG) study showed normal insertional activities and motor unit potentials in all limb and paraspinal muscles. These electrodiagnostic findings were consistent with the posterior column lesion of the cervical spinal cord and the sensorimotor polyneuropathy of the lower limbs.

Table 1.

Results of the nerve conduction study

Nerve	Case 1						Case 2
	Latency (ms)		Amplitude		CV (m/s)		Latency (ms)		Amplitude		CV (m/s)
	Rt	Lt	Rt	Lt	Rt	Lt	Rt	Lt	Rt	Lt	Rt	Lt
Sensory
Sural	4.38	4.06	16.4	16.7			5.47	4.38	6.7	3.1
SPN	3.59	3.59	11.0	10.9			10.36	8.07	5.3	7.7
Motor
Peroneal
Ankle	5.42	6.15	2.4	1.7			NR	NR	NR	NR
Fib head	15.73	16.51	1.9	1.6	37.8	37.6	NR	NR	NR	NR
Tibial
Ankle	6.20	6.41	10.7	12.7			NR	NR	NR	NR
Knee	17.35	17.08	9.0	9.1	38.6	39.3	NR	NR	NR	NR

Abnormal values are represented in bold.

Amplitudes are measured in microvolt (µV, sensory) and in millivolt (mV, motor).

CV, conduction velocity; Rt, right; Lt, left; SPN, superficial peroneal nerve; Fib, fibular; NR, no response.

Table 2.

Results of the somatosensory evoked potentials

Nerve	Case 1				Case 2
	Initial				Initial				After 3 months
	N20 (ms)		P37 (ms)		N20 (ms)		P37 (ms)		N20 (ms)		P37 (ms)
	Rt	Lt	Rt	Lt	Rt	Lt	Rt	Lt	Rt	Lt	Rt	Lt
Median	25.31	22.71			26.82	26.20			23.90	23.13
Tibial			45.10	46.25			53.02	50.21			36.04	36.35

Abnormal values are represented in bold.

Rt, right; Lt, left.

The patient received additional intramuscular vitamin B₁₂ injections at the outpatient clinic. The paresthesia was shown to have improved, but which of the hands and feet were remained. Voiding difficulty improved completely, but the ataxia improved partially after cessation of N₂O gas inhalation and the subsequent addition of vitamin B₁₂ supplement therapy.

Case 2

A 22-year-old female presented with paresthesia and weakness of bilateral lower extremities, and voiding difficulty 2 days before she visited the emergency center. One year ago, the patient was diagnosed with N₂O induced SCD. At that time, she had presented paresthesia of all limbs, voiding difficulty, and had a gait disturbance. Although she had been treated with vitamin B₁₂ supplements, paresthesia of lower limbs had been remained.

The patient did not have a medication abuse history, but she inhaled N₂O gas again daily for 3 months. Paresthesia of bilateral lower limbs was aggravated, and she could not walk alone due to lower limb weakness. Also, she had voiding difficulty.

The MMT of the upper extremities was normal, but that of the lower extremities was reduced to grade 2. The temperature and pain sensation were intact. The light touch sensation of bilateral lower extremities was decreased. The proprioception of all limbs was impaired. The deep tendon reflexes of upper extremities were normal, but were absent in lower extremities. The Hoffmann and Babinski signs were not present. Neither the Romberg nor tandem gait tests could be performed because the patient was not able to walk alone.

The initial blood tests showed no anemia; hemoglobin 12.9 g/dL (normal range, 11.5–15.5 g/dL); red blood cell count, 3.86×10⁶/mm³ (3.8–5.0×10⁶/mm³); mean corpuscular volume, 96.6 fL (83–99 fL); mean corpuscular hemoglobin 33.4 pg (27–33 pg). The level of vitamin B₁₂ (cobalamin) was 70 pg/mL (211–911 pg/mL) and the level of homocysteine was over 130 µmol/L (5–15 µmol/L). The T2-weighted MRI of the cervical spine performed 1 year ago showed a hyperintensity between the 3rd and 5th cervical spinal cord, although MRI was not performed at this time of admission.

Two weeks after symptom onset, an electrodiagnostic study was performed. The study showed delayed peak latencies of bilateral sural and superficial peroneal SNAPs. There was no response in bilateral tibial and peroneal CMAPs (Table 1). SNAPs and CMAPs of upper extremities were normal. Bilateral H-reflexes of the tibial nerve were absent. In bilateral median and tibial SEP, N20 and P37 latencies were delayed (Table 2). A needle EMG study showed increased insertion activities and abnormal spontaneous activities in the bilateral tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, and gastrocnemius. Recruitment patterns of lower extremities were reduced (Table 3).

Table 3.

Results of the needle electromyography in case 2

Muscle	Fib		PSW		MUAP		Recruitment
	Rt	Lt	Rt	Lt	Rt	Lt	Rt	Lt
Tibialis anterior	3+	3+	3+	3+	Normal	Normal	Discrete	Discrete
Peroneus longus	3+	3+	3+	3+	Normal	Normal	Discrete	Discrete
Gastrocnemius	3+	3+	3+	3+	Normal	Normal	Discrete	Discrete
Vastus medialis	-	-	-	-	Normal	Normal	Reduced	Reduced
Tensor fasciae latae	-	-	-	-	Normal	Normal	Reduced	Reduced
Lumbar paraspinals	-	-	-	-	NC	NC	NC	NC

Abnormal values are represented in bold.

MUAP, motor unit action potential; Fib, fibrillation; PSW, positive sharp wave; Rt, right; Lt, left; NC, not checkable.

The patient received intramuscular 1 mg injections of vitamin B₁₂ daily for 7 days, and every week for 3 weeks during hospitalization. The paresthesia of lower limbs improved. However, the voiding difficulty did not improve and an indwelling urinary catheter had to be maintained. The weakness of the bilateral lower extremities did not improve.

The patient received additional 1 mg intramuscular injections of vitamin B₁₂ every week for 2 weeks, and every 2 weeks for 4 weeks in an outpatient clinic. Three months after the previous EMG study, the proprioception of upper limbs was normal and also improved in lower limbs. The paresthesia of lower limbs further improved. The MMT of lower limbs improved from grade 2 to 3, and she was able to walk under the assistance of others. Voiding difficulty also partially improved and her indwelling urinary catheter was therefore removed.

A follow-up electrodiagnostic study was conducted at the outpatient clinic. The N20 latencies of bilateral median SEPs were decreased compared to the previous study, but was still not noted to be within the normal range. The P37 latencies of the bilateral tibial SEPs were recovered to normal. These results suggest that the cervical myelopathy was improving compared to the previous EMG study. Written informed consents were obtained.

DISCUSSION

Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is the cause of subacute combined degeneration [1]. The main symptoms of SCD are neurologic deficits including paresthesia of the limbs, muscle weakness, and loss of position and vibratory sensations [4]. In most cases, Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is usually caused by malnutrition, deficiency in intrinsic factor, and Crohn’s disease [1]. Inactivation of vitamin B₁₂ due to N₂O inhalation is also a potential etiological factor [1].

N₂O inactivates vitamin B₁₂ by changing it from its active monovalent form to its inactive, bivalent form. Active vitamin B₁₂ is a coenzyme of methionine synthase, the enzyme involved in the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and myelin [5]. Therefore, inactive vitamin B₁₂ inhibits myelin synthesis and leads to demyelination, axonal swelling, and, ultimately, axonal loss [1]. Depending on the supplementation of vitamin B₁₂ and the amount of N₂O inhaled, the level of vitamin B₁₂ can be low, normal, or high [5]. SCD may also occur with normal vitamin B₁₂ level, since N₂O inactivates cobalamin to reduce the amount of functional cobalamin [6]. Homocysteine, a substrate necessary for vitamin B₁₂ to act as a methionine synthase cofactor, increases with vitamin B₁₂ deficiency [5]. It was shown that the initial vitamin B₁₂ level was normal in case 1, but was decreased in case 2. The homocysteine levels in both cases were elevated due to a deficiency in active vitamin B₁₂.

Treatment for SCD due to N₂O inhalation is a cessation of N₂O inhalation and the supplement of vitamin B₁₂ [1]. The traditional method for vitamin B₁₂ supplementation is intramuscular injection of 1 mg vitamin B₁₂ daily for the first week, 1 mg injections of vitamin B₁₂ weekly for the next 4 weeks, followed by 1 mg monthly injections for life until the underlying cause is eliminated [7]. The speed of recovery after treatment may vary according to the degree of damage to the spinal cord [1]. If there is no sensory loss, and the Romberg test and Babinski sign are negative, the rate of recovery is expected to be higher [8]. Among 18 cases of N₂O induced myeloneuropathy with subclinical vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, 15 patients showed improvement of symptoms and only 4 patients showed complete resolution of symptoms [9].

In case 1, the patient received daily intramuscular vitamin B₁₂ injections for 1 week after admission and weekly 1 mg injections for 3 weeks in an outpatient clinic after discharge. An EMG was performed after 9 injections of vitamin B₁₂, and the patient’s symptoms had partially improved. A limitation of this study was that the EMG was not performed early. We could not assess the degree of neural recovery through additional EMG or MRI due to the patient’s failure to visit outpatient clinics. Moreover, the proprioception examination was normal based on joint position sense test, but the position sense of the lower limb seemed abnormal during walking because of the hypesthesia and paresthesia.

These two cases can be diagnosed as SCD based on the history of N₂O abuse, typical neurologic symptoms and signs as well as the compatible results of MRI, EMG, SEP, and blood test. Symptoms improved with vitamin B₁₂ therapy and cessation of N₂O gas inhalation.

In Korea, there was only one prior case report of myeloneuropathy after chronic N₂O abuse [10]. Although the report includes an electrodiagnostic study of case, there were no detailed data. We confirmed the nerve damage of our two patients throughout the electrodiagnostic study including needle EMG. The findings of case 1 were primarily demyelinating status (neurapraxia), and the case 2 results were axonal involvement status (axonotmesis). The results of case 2 were shown to have been more severe than with case 1. We found that the severity of symptoms and recovery rate were correlated with the EMG results.

Recently N₂O gas was sold under the name ‘narcotic balloon’ or ‘happy balloon’. It arouses concerns for abuse in population. Therefore, physicians must be alert to the N₂O induced SCD in patients presenting with progressive myelopathy. When SCD is diagnosed, vitamin B₁₂ should be supplemented promptly for a good prognosis of neurological recovery.