Acute Paralysis Following Recreational MDMA (Ecstasy) Use

Abstract

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as Ecstasy, is a hallucinogenic compound structurally related to amphetamine. Ecstasy's severe neurological toxicity includes seizures, subarachnoidal hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, intracranial bleeding and cerebral venous thrombosis. We describe the first case of spinal cord damage presenting as acute quadriplegia and respiratory insufficiency in a healthy adolescent following Ecstasy recreational usage.

Keywords :

• Ecstasy
• Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
• Spinal cord
• Quadriplegia
• Respiratory insufficiency
• Adolescent
• Renal failure