Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study Of Heroin-associated Encephalopathy

ObjectiveTo explore the magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of heroin-associated encephalopathy (HE), the relationship of imaging signs and clinical manifestations as well as its possible pathogenesis.Materials and MethodsClinical data and MRI data of 30 patients with history of heroin abuse admitted during Mar.2000 to Jan. 2006 were collected including 24 males aged from 23 to 46 years and 6 females aged from 27 to 34 years with a mean of 32 years. The heroin use patterns were simple intranasal inhaling in 9 cases, simple intravenous injection in 1 case and the combination of the above two patterns in the other 20 cases. Their history of heroin abuse ranged from 1 year to 11 years and the administration doses were from 0.5 g per day to 4 g per day. Totally 20 cases had history of heroin quitting before the admission that ranged from 1 month to 5 years and they became heroin abusers again after several attempts of quitting. There were also 4 cases of heroin-independent after the attempt of quitting. Among the subjects, there were 1 in light coma, 2 in coma and 2 deaths. Additionally, 4 cases were performed cerebral biopsy and 2 were performed cadaver dissection. All of the subjects received...