'Khatatonia' - cathinone-induced hypertensive encephalopathy

Neth J Med. 2017 Dec;75(10):448-450.

Abstract

Khat consumption is an under-recognised cause of hypertensive encephalopathy and intraparenchymal brain haemorrhage. We report the radiological findings of extensive periventricular, subcortical and brain stem white matter pathology of a patient who had consumed excessive amounts of Khat. The Khat plant contains cathinone, an amphetamine-like alkaloid which has been associated with chronic hypertensive end-organ damage, but is seldom considered a cause of cerebrovascular events in northern Europe.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / adverse effects*
  • Catha / adverse effects*
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / chemically induced*
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Hypertensive Encephalopathy / chemically induced*
  • Hypertensive Encephalopathy / diagnostic imaging
  • Leukoencephalopathies / chemically induced
  • Leukoencephalopathies / diagnostic imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • cathinone