Transverse myelitis is a rare but documented sequela of heroin use. While the underlying etiology is not clearly elucidated, the prevailing pathophysiologic mechanism amongst existing literature suggests an immune-mediated hypersensitivity reaction due to heroin insufflation following a long period of abstinence. Outcomes vary among the limited reports, but prognosis tends to be poor due to an acute and rapidly progressive disease course. Here, we describe a case of extensive transverse myelitis in a chronic heroin user following heroin insufflation. This report hopes to provide greater insight into the underlying cause of this rare phenomenon due to our patient's discrepancy from the documented norm of heroin abstinence preceding disease onset.
Keywords: case report; central nervous system; heroin; neuroimaging; paralysis; substance use; transverse myelitis.
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