Subacute Combined Degeneration of the Spinal Cord Induced by Nitrous Oxide Abuse: A Rare Patient Presentation to a Spine Surgery Clinic
2023 Alvin Yarrows Research Day at Beaumont Hospital Farmington Hills, Farmington Hills, MI, May 4, 2023.
Description
Subacute combined degeneration (SCD) of the spinal cord is a disease involving the lateral and posterior columns of the spinal cord that can manifest in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Nitrous oxide (N2O) induced SCD of the spinal cord is a result of N2O interfering with the metabolism of vitamin B12 and results in nervous system demyelination
• This is an infrequent complication of N2O anesthesia however cases are rising with recreational N2O use.
• Given wide availability of N2O, clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion when confronting patients with concerning clinical pictures.
This paper has been withdrawn.