Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38684340›Full record

ArticleBMJ case reports2024

Clinical and neuroradiographic features of fentanyl inhalation-induced leukoencephalopathy.

Christopher O Eden, Duna S Alkhalaileh, David R Pettersson, Alan J Hunter, Asad H Arastu

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ case reports, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Beyond respiratory depression: acute and delayed pulmonary responses following aerosolized fentanyl exposure.Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Christopher O EdenDepartment of Internal Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA edenc@ohsu.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1465-8693
Duna S AlkhalailehDepartment of Internal Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
David R PetterssonDepartment of Diagnostic Radiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Alan J HunterDepartment of Internal Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Asad H ArastuDepartment of Internal Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

A man in his late 40s with no known past medical history was unresponsive for an unknown period of time. Crushed pills and white residue were found on a nearby table. On presentation he was obtunded and unresponsive to verbal commands but withdrawing to painful stimuli. The initial urine drug screen was negative, but a urine fentanyl screen was subsequently positive with a level of 137.3 ng/mL. MRI of the brain showed reduced diffusivity and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) hyperintensity symmetrically in the bilateral supratentorial white matter, cerebellum and globus pallidus. Alternative diagnoses such as infection were considered, but ultimately the history and workup led to a diagnosis of fentanyl-induced leukoencephalopathy. Three days after admission the patient became able to track, respond to voice and follow basic one-step commands. The patient does not recall the mechanism of inhalation. While there are case reports of heroin-induced leukoencephalopathy following inhaled heroin use and many routes of fentanyl, this is the first reported case of a similar phenomenon due to fentanyl inhalation.

Indexed as

FentanylLeukoencephalopathiesMagnetic Resonance ImagingAdministration, InhalationAdultAnalgesics, OpioidBrainHumansMaleAnalgesics, OpioidFentanylAdult intensive careDrug misuse (including addiction)NeuroimagingNeurological injuryToxicology

Identifiers

PMID38684340
PMCPMC11103052

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.