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Methadone Intoxication in a Child: Toxic Encephalopathy?

2006; SAGE Publishing; Volume: 21; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1177/08830738060210071101

1708-8283

Marisol Anselmo, António Campos Rainho, Maria do Carmo Vale, João Estrada, Rosalina Valente, Manuela Correia, José Pedro Vieira, Deolinda Barata,

Epilepsy research and treatment

Methadone is used in the treatment of opioid addiction. Acute intoxication can lead to severe consequences and can even be lethal. In several case reports and small series, a presumably toxic leukoencephalopathy is described resulting from inhalation of heroin. We present the case of a 3-year-old boy who ingested methadone accidentally. In a coma with acute obstructive hydrocephalus owing to massive cerebellar edema and supratentorial lesions, he was successfully treated with methylprednisolone and cerebrospinal fluid external drainage. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an encephalopathy associated with synthetic opioid intoxication. (J Child Neurol 2006;21:618—620; DOI 10.2310/7010.2006.00146).