Citation

Akel T. J. Spinal Cord Med. 2017; 40(4): 492-495.

Affiliation

a Department of Internal Medicine , Staten Island University Hospital , NY , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals, Publisher Maney Publishing)

DOI

10.1080/10790268.2016.1258969

PMID

28134030

Abstract

CONTEXT: Cerebrovascular and cardiovascular accidents have been associated with illicit drug use. The most commonly used substance worldwide is cannabis. It has been related to acute ischemic cerebral stroke in multiple reports, with different mechanisms suggested.

FINDINGS: This is a case of Acute Spinal Cord Ischemia Syndrome (ASCIS) in a 25-year-old male who presented 20 minutes after smoking cannabis. Although a direct causal relationship between cannabis and cerebrovascular accidents is difficult to establish, there might be an association.

CONCLUSION: The presented patient didn't have any vascular risk factors, and his symptoms started 20 minutes after smoking cannabis. This signifies a possible association between ASCIS and cannabis use.

Language: en

Keywords

Cannabis; Infarction; Ischemic; Marijuana; Spinal cord injury; Stroke