Nontraumatic Plexitis and Heroin Addiction

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Abstract
Brachial and lumbosacral plexitis were observed as new complications of intravenous injection of heroin-adulterant mixtures in 13 patients (eight with brachial and five with lumbosacral plexitis). Clinical features included monoparesis with impaired sensation and hyporeflexia in the involved limb. Severe causalgia-like pain was a frequent symptom for lowerextremity lesions. Electrodiagnostic studies showed denervation in the weak limb, with localization of the causative lesion at a plexus rather than at a radicular or peripheral nerve level in 12 patients. One patient showed a radicular localization. The lesions appeared to be at least partially reversible. A direct toxic effect of the injectant or hypersensitivity reactions are possible causes.

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