An Atypical Presentation of Heroin Inhalation Induced Leukoencephalopathy (Chasing the Dragon)

Heroin leukoencephalopathy is associated with 'Chasing the dragon,' which is a heroin vapour inhalation method that is different from smoking or sniffing heroin. The clinical presentation ranges from mild to severe disease. Mild disease is characterized by inattentiveness and ataxia. In moderate diseases, extrapyramidal symptoms predominate, and finally, severe disease is characterized by generalized motor impairment, with death occurring in two-third of cases. We now report a rare presentation of the disease in a 60-year-old female with a past medical history of heroin abuse who presented to ED with signs and symptoms of confusion and restlessness. MRI brain without contrast showed diffuse symmetric increased intensity signals throughout the white matter. Electroencephalogram (EEG) revealed mild diffuse slowing with no lateralization. The patient was started on Vitamin E and was transferred to a rehab facility with following up neurology as an outpatient.