Abstract
Introduction: Lead poisoning usually occurs in occupational situations, however, there are sometimes non-occupational toxicities and opium-related lead poisoning has been reported recently. Neuropathy due to lead poisoning can also occur. Case Report: In this study, a 43 year old man with a history of oral opium use with the complaint of progressive muscle weakness was reported. Muscle forces in the upper and lower limbs were 0/5 and 1/5, respectively. Serum lead level was 88.8 μg/dl. Electrodiagnostic studies were indicative of subacute moderate to severe axonal motor polyneuropathy. Following the treatment, the muscle force was improved and lead level was decreased. Conclusion: Motor neuropathy due to lead poisoning is a rare but possible complication. Due to the increased incidence of opium related lead toxicity in Ardabil, Iran, we recommend to consider lead poisoning as one of the possible differential diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy to initiate early and proper treatment.
Highlights
Motor neuropathy due to lead poisoning is a rare but possible complication
During the period that the patient presented to our hospital, there was an increased incidence of lead poisoning among oral opium addicts in the region under study
Given the involvement of upper limb more than lower limb, EMG-nerve conduction study (NCS) findings and increased serum lead level, neuropathy due to lead poisoning was considered as the diagnosis
Summary
Motor neuropathy due to lead poisoning is a rare but possible complication. Due to the increased incidence of opium related lead toxicity in Ardabil, Iran, we recommend to consider lead poisoning as one of the possible differential diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy to initiate early and proper treatment. An oral opium addict man patient with the complaint of abdominal pain and progressive quadreparesis has been reported. A 43-year old man addicted to oral opium referred to our emergency department, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ardabil, Iran, with the complaint of a progressive muscle weakness of upper and lower limbs since the last 7 days.
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