Subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with ecstasy abuse in a young adult: a case report

Marwane Bel Haj¹, Camillia Jeddi¹, Mohamed Kilani¹, Hafedh Thabet¹

Corresponding author: Camillia Jeddi MD, (Emergency Department, Mahmoud Yaacoub Center for Urgent Medical Assistance, Tunis, Tunisia) — camillia.jeddi@fmt.utm.tn

Submitted: 13 March 2024  ·  Revised: 27 May 2024  ·  Accepted: 30 March 2024

Abstract

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), is a synthetic amphetamine derivative. Its usage can be complicated by intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Drug-related intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a relatively uncommon occurrence, often associated with an underlying vascular anomaly.

We report the case of a 28-year-old male with a history of Ecstasy abuse prior to the onset of a sever holocranial headache. Cerebral computed tomography angiography revealed a right sided sub-arachnoid hemorrhage and blood within all four ventricles, as well as a right sided pontine hematoma and an arteriovenous malformation.

As the drug epidemic continues to worsen, it is important to take a full drug history in patients presenting with a severe headache, and to not overlook ICH as a potential complication of recreational drug abuse.

Introduction

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), is a synthetic amphetamine derivative.(1) It was first developed in 1912 and was popularized in the 1980s as a recreational street drug due to its strong empathogen as well as its stimulant and minor psychedelic properties [1]. It is usually taken orally in its tablet form (“Ecstasy”) or crystal form (“Molly” or “Mandy”).

MDMA abuse is associated with multiple potentially life threatening complications [1]. Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), including intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage, is a well-known yet relatively uncommon complication. Subsequent brain imaging often reveals an underlying vascular anomaly [2–7].

After a literature review using MeSH and keywords (MDMA, arteriovenous malformation, intracerebral hemorrhage) in PubMed. We report the first case of ecstasy abuse complicated with intracerebral hemorrhage, to our knowledge, occurring in a in a young adult in Tunisia.

CASE PRESENTATION

28-year-old male with a past history of infrequent MDMA abuse spanning years presented to the emergency department for an acute onset of a severe headache. At first medical contact he was afebrile and his vital signs were normal. On further history and physical exam, four and half hours prior to his presentation, he had ingested a half of tablet of “Ecstasy”. Following this ingestion, he presented with a headache, vomiting, dizziness and dysarthria. There had been no history of hypertension or headache and the patient reported no recent head trauma or loss of consciousness. The patient denied any history of other substance abuse. During his stay at the ED his symptoms progressed and he became sleepy but conscious and orientated. Verbal and motor response, as well as eye opening, were all normal. Pupils were symmetrical and not dilated. Neurologic examination found a nuchal rigidity but Kernig and Brudzinski’s signs were both negative. There was no focal deficit and no signs of head trauma. Laboratory tests showed a white blood cell count of 16800 cells per microliter (normal range (NR) : 4.5 to 11.0 × 109/L), hyperlactatemia of 4.5 mmol/L (NR : 0.5-2.2) and hyperglycemia at glucose 11 mmol/L (NR : 4 - 7 mmol/L ). The other tests including hemostasis and electrolytes were within NR. Urine sample analysis revealed the presence of MDMA. Tests for other psychoactive substances such as cocaine, heroin and benzodiazepine as well as blood alcohol were all negative. A computed tomography (CT)- head scan was obtained and showed a right-sided sulcal sub-arachnoid hemorrhage and blood within all four ventricles, as well as a right-sided pontine hematoma (Figure 1 A and B). Within the latter, contrast-enhanced CT showed an arteriovenous malformation (Figure 2).

The patient was admitted to a neurosurgery unit. The AVM was classified as 4 according to the Spetzler Martin scoring system, thus a conservative treatment was adopted and endovascular embolization of the AVM was scheduled but refused by the patient. He remained stable with resolution of his headaches and no neurological deterioration. He was discharged home on day 7 of admission with a spontaneous regression of the hematoma, thus a ventricular shunt was not performed, on follow up, the patient remained asymptomatic and no complications were reported.

DISCUSSION

MDMA is a synthetic amphetamine derivative [1]. It is taken orally to induce pleasurable feelings such as loss of inhibition, euphoria and empathy and is commonly associated with raves, concerts and dance parties [1]. It has a myriad of adverse effects, such as tachycardia, arterial hypertension, nausea, bruxism, headache, blurred vision, insomnia, anxiety and agitation , as well as more serious complications such as rhabdomyolysis, hyperpyrexia, cardiac arrythmia, hepatic necrosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation [1]. Among its complications, ICH is a well-recognized entity, [2–7] but remains relatively uncommon. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this represents the first reported case of ICH following ecstasy abuse in Tunisia. Previously reported cases of drug induced ICH have most often revealed an underlying vascular anomaly, mainly cerebral arteriovenous malformations and aneurysms [2, 3, 5]. However, it is possible that the latter may form either acutely in response to the drug itself, or progressively from repeated abuse [2, 5]. Furthermore, some case reports of ICH following MDMA abuse have shown no unusual findings in the angiogram [6], suggesting that a preexisting vascular anomaly is neither necessary nor sufficient to induce it. A summary of cases reported in literature are is provided in Table 1. To this date, MDMA’s exact role in precipitating an intracranial hemorrhage is still unclear. Two main mechanisms of action have been postulated in literature: Cerebral vasculitis and transient elevated blood pressure [2, 5].

The proposition of cerebral vasculitis as a possible mechanism stems from MDMA's resemblance to amphetamine [5], supported by substantial evidence linking the latter to at least some level of cerebral angiitis. Citron et al. [8] reported 14 cases of necrotizing angiitis in drug abusers, twelve of which had previously used methamphetamine intravenously, and one of which admitted to using it exclusively. Moreover, cerebral angiitis has been experimentally produced in rhesus monkeys following a two week intravenous administration of amphetamine, with the angiographic findings showing an arterial “beading” immediately after its administration [9].

In the case of MDMA itself, some case reports of MDMA induced ICH reported arterial “beading” [7]. However, to the finest of the authors’ knowledge, there is no direct evidence linking it with cerebral vasculitis.

Transient surge in blood pressure has also been proposed as a causal mechanism [2]. Hypertension is a well-documented adverse effect of MDMA and is related to its sympathomimetic effect [1]. It has been the traditional explanation for drug-induced ICH in the context of a preexisting cerebrovascular anomaly, especially AVMs [5]. This is clearly likely to be the case in our patient.

Another potential mechanism has been suggested through an experimental study on mice [10], which showed that exposure to methamphetamine elicited an initial five-minute increase of cerebral blood flow, followed by a prolonged decrease over 30 minutes. This study also showed a sustained vasoconstriction of the pial arterioles following the exposure. However, more studies are needed in order to elucidate how much of a role this mechanism plays.

We recognize some limitations in our report. The CT angiography has a lower sensitivity in the detection rate of cerebrovascular anomalies than the gold standard, catheter angiography. With the latter not being performed, it is possible that some vascular anomalies, such as small aneurysms, and especially vasculitis, have evaded detection.

Concerning management, according to Expert Consensus on the Management of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations in 2019, brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs) can be treated by one or a combination of the following treatment modalities, namely embolization, radiosurgery, or microsurgical resection. The committee made recommendations based on age, eloquence of adjacent cortex, feeders’ example superficial versus deep. These items were gathered to create the Spetzler Martin scoring system, which is an easy and successful scoring tool. In fact, Grade 4 and 5 arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), conservative management may be the best option, which is the case in our patient [11].

CONCLUSION

We describe a case of ICH complicating MDMA abuse in a young adult. Cerebral accidents are a well-recognized entity in these patients, but ICH remains relatively uncommon. Patients with MDMA abuse are at risk for intracerebral accidents including intracerebral hemorrhage. A full medical history including illicit drug abuse must be taken in patients presenting with the onset of a severe headache.

Authors' details

1. Emergency Department, Mahmoud Yaacoub Center for Urgent Medical Assistance, Tunis, Tunisia

Author contributions

All authors contributed equally and validated the final version of record.

Declarations

Conflicts Of Interests

The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Registration

No registration applicable

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval for this study was not required.

MDMA abuse complicated with an intracerebral accident is a well-recognized entity, but intracerebral hemorrhage remains relatively uncommon.

We report the first case of ecstasy abuse complicated with intracerebral hemorrhage, to our knowledge, occurring in a in a young adult in Tunisia.

Patients presenting with severe headache and a history of drug abuse might be at risk of developing intracerebral hemorrhage.

References

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