Recreational use of nitrous oxide causes seizure, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and pneumopericardium: nitrous oxide and its harm, a case report
Lee Ti Davidson
Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences December 8, 2023 DOI: 10.48101/ujms.v128.10281 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key findings | Inhaling nitrous oxide from whippets can cause hypoxia, seizures, death, and rarely pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and pneumopericardium. |
Abstract
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as ‘laughing gas’, has become a popular recreational drug. Whippets, small canisters containing gas in pressurized form, can be easily obtained from a food store. However, inhaling nitrous oxide from these canisters, which contain a 100% concentration, can lead to hypoxia, resulting in seizures or even death. Inhalation of nitrous oxide rarely causes pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and pneumopericardium. This case study highlights the potential dangers of recreational abuse of nitrous oxide.