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Fatal toxic leukoencephalopathy: clinical, radiological, and necropsy findings in two patients

¹ Department of Neurology, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
² Department of Neuropathology, National Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Professor M Hutchinson
Department of Neurology, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland; michael.hutchinson{at}svcpc.ie

ABSTRACT
Background: Toxic leukoencephalopathy has been described with inhalation and intravenous consumption of heroin and cocaine. The clinical picture varies widely but the imaging and histological features are characteristic. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) typically reveals diffuse bihemispheric white matter lesions. Histologically there is extensive spongiform degeneration of the cerebral white matter.

Objective: To report two cases of fatal toxin associated leukoencephalopathy, along with detailed imaging and neuropathological studies.

Results: MRI revealed diffuse white matter changes. Histologically there was widespread confluent vacuolar degeneration of the deep white matter. In both cases, there was sparing of the brain stem and cerebellar white matter. There was evidence of severe and extensive axonal injury.

Conclusions: This pattern of radiological involvement and histological findings has not previously been reported and may reflect the presence of a yet unidentified impurity.

Keywords: toxic leukoencephalopathy; cocaine; heroin

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