Spongiform leukoencephalopathy unveiled in an autopsy of a drug abuser

Authors

  • Hemlata Jangir All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, Department of Laboratory Medicine, New Delhi, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8357-8347
  • Govinda Balmuchu All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, Department of Forensic Pathology and Molecular DNA, New Delhi, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5135-8569
  • Jhansi Lakshmi Mylapalli All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, Department of Forensic Pathology and Molecular DNA, New Delhi, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5620-4545
  • Arulselvi Subramanian All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, Department of Laboratory Medicine, New Delhi, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7797-6683
  • Sanjeev Lalwani All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, Department of Forensic Pathology and Molecular DNA, New Delhi, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7272-9579

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4322/acr.2023.465

Keywords:

Forensic Toxicology, Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal, Psychoses, Substance-Induced

Abstract

Toxic leukoencephalopathy (TLE) is a rare neurological debilitating and fatal condition. It has been previously associated with exposure to leukotoxic offenders such as chemotherapy, cranial radiation, certain drugs, and environmental factors. Currently, it is a commoner white matter syndrome resulting from increased substance abuse, classically by inhaled heroin and other opioids. Herein, we report a case of fatal TLE unveiled in an autopsy of a drug abuser. A 24-year-old male was found dead on the roadside. A day before, he was located in a state of delirium. In this case, the autopsy findings and histopathology characteristics of cerebral cortex involvement particularly directed to speculate the heroine as the principal offender.

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Published

2024-01-09

Issue

Vol. 13 (2023)

Section

Autopsy Case Report

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How to Cite

Jangir, H., Balmuchu, G. ., Mylapalli, J. L. ., Subramanian, A. ., & Lalwani, S. (2024). Spongiform leukoencephalopathy unveiled in an autopsy of a drug abuser. Autopsy and Case Reports, 13, e2023465. https://doi.org/10.4322/acr.2023.465