Chasing the dragon: heroin smoking related toxic leukoencephalopathy

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

History of illicit drug use.

Patient Data

Age: 40 years
Gender: Male

High T2 signal in the cerebellar hemispheric white matter, corticospinal tracts (just below the red nuclei), extending up into the posterior limb of internal capsule and perirolandic subcortical white matter and occipital lobes. Note that the increased T2 signal in the cerebellum is shine-through.

Case Discussion

Typical appearances of heroin smoking associated toxic leukoencephalopathy, known as Chasing the dragon, in a patient with long history of heroin smoking. 

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.