Following an episode of severe brain inflammation from fentanyl inhalation, a man successfully recovered with the help of a multidisciplinary team at OHSU, as detailed in. This case serves as a warning about the impact of opioids on society. Credit: SciTechDaily.comThe man arrived unconscious and near death.
Medical experts had documented previous cases caused by inhaling heroin, but the OHSU patient is believed to be the first documented case involving inhalation of illicit fentanyl. The lead author of the study says it should be taken as a warning about the danger of a substance that is cheap, readily available, and 50 times more potent than heroin.“Opioid use, especially fentanyl, has become very stigmatized,” said lead author Chris Eden, M.D.
Magnetic resonance imaging revealed inflammation in the brain. However, the patient’s lingering loss of consciousness, memory and function could have been due to any number of causes — stroke, carbon monoxide exposure or metabolic disease among them. Ultimately, a nonstandard drug test revealed the presence of fentanyl in his system.
“This case involved internal medicine, neurology, neuroradiology, and palliative care physicians, in addition to nurses, social workers, discharge planners, physical therapists, dieticians, and pharmacists,” Eden said. “I’m proud of these multidisciplinary teams at OHSU working together to take care of complex patients, both from a medical and social perspective.” also includes a perspective from the patient.
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