Recurrent Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Multifocal Cerebral Infarction Associated with Amphetamine Abuse
Abstract
Illicit stimulants, such as amphetamines and methamphetamines, can induce profound sympathomimetic effects, including significant cerebrovascular complications. We describe a 48-year-old man who presented with persistent consciousness disturbance and repeated strokes. Imaging findings revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage, multiple infarctions in the globus pallidus, pons, corpus callosum, and lateral ventricles, and a transient basilar artery pseudoaneurysm. Although meningoencephalitis was initially considered, further tests were negative for infectious causes of the disease. A positive amphetamine test and characteristic bilateral lesions in the globus pallidus and corpus callosum led to the diagnosis of stimulant intoxication. This case highlights the importance of considering stimulant use in patients with unexplained stroke and hemorrhages.
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BibTeX
@article{shimizu2026recurrent,
title = {{Recurrent Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Multifocal Cerebral Infarction Associated with Amphetamine Abuse}},
author = {Hideyuki Shimizu and Kenichi Sakuta and Hitomi Okazaki and Yuya Yamaguchi and Motohiro Okumura and Hidetaka Mitsumura and Kwangyeol Lee and Yasuyuki Iguchi},
journal = {Internal Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.2169/internalmedicine.7061-25},
url = {https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/internalmedicine/advpub/0/advpub_7061-25/_article},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Recurrent Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Multifocal Cerebral Infarction Associated with Amphetamine Abuse
AU - Hideyuki Shimizu
AU - Kenichi Sakuta
AU - Hitomi Okazaki
AU - Yuya Yamaguchi
AU - Motohiro Okumura
AU - Hidetaka Mitsumura
AU - Kwangyeol Lee
AU - Yasuyuki Iguchi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/29
JO - Internal Medicine
DO - 10.2169/internalmedicine.7061-25
UR - https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/internalmedicine/advpub/0/advpub_7061-25/_article
AB - Illicit stimulants, such as amphetamines and methamphetamines, can induce profound sympathomimetic effects, including significant cerebrovascular complications. We describe a 48-year-old man who presented with persistent consciousness disturbance and repeated strokes. Imaging findings revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage, multiple infarctions in the globus pallidus, pons, corpus callosum, and lateral ventricles, and a transient basilar artery pseudoaneurysm. Although meningoencephalitis was initially considered, further tests were negative for infectious causes of the disease. A positive amphetamine test and characteristic bilateral lesions in the globus pallidus and corpus callosum led to the diagnosis of stimulant intoxication. This case highlights the importance of considering stimulant use in patients with unexplained stroke and hemorrhages.
SN - 1349-7235
SN - 0918-2918
ER -