Co-Occurring Subacute Combined Degeneration and Guillain-Barré Syndrome Resulting From Nitrous Oxide Abuse: A Case Report.
Cureus December 1, 2022 Kristen Strom, Ateaya Lima, Vahideh Tabarzadi
Nitrous oxide abuse can cause varied neurologic, psychiatric, and medical symptoms. This case report describes a 23-year-old woman with a history of N2O abuse who presented with progressive leg weakness, burning and tingling, difficulty walking, and falls over three weeks. Imaging and spinal fluid tests revealed both subacute combined degeneration (from vitamin B12 deficiency) and Guillain-Barré syndrome. She was treated with weekly vitamin B12 injections and five plasmapheresis sessions, plus medications for anxiety and depression. She improved markedly by discharge. The authors highlight the easy accessibility, addiction potential, and adverse consequences of N2O abuse.