Stroke in a young patient? Ask about synthetic cannabinoids

3 out of 5 stars Ischemic stroke after use of synthetic marijuana “spice”. Freeman MJ et al. Neurology 2013;81:1-4. Abstract This interesting paper, from the University of South Florida in Tampa, describes a brother and sister who at different times both developed ischemic strokes shortly after smoking a synthetic marijuana product. The 26-year-old brother presented with dysarthria, expressive aphasia, and right-sided weakness after smoking “Spice” a few hours previously. Head CT showed a clot in the proximal middle cerebral artery. His symptoms resolved after treatment with thrombolytics. The 19-year-old sister lost consciousness “a few minutes” after smoking “Spice.” On presentation, she had global aphasia and right hemiplegia. MRI showed a left MCA distribution infarct that the authors say suggested embolic etiology. The patient presented too late to be eligible for thrombolytic therapy. On a follow-up visit, she had persistent right hemiparesis and expressive aphasia. A serum screening test for synthetic cannabinoids (no details given) detected JWH-018, but was negative for AM-2201, JWH-019, JWH-073, and JWH-250. Extensive workup of both patients failed to reveal any alternative cause for the cerebral ischemia. Although a screen for synthetic cannabinoids was not done on the brother, and the two ascetic events occurred at different times, the authors note that both patients had received spice from the same supplier. Certain...
Source: The Poison Review - Category: Toxicology Authors: Tags: Medical cerebral ischemia jwh-018 spice stroke synthetic cannabinoid Source Type: news