Stroke after cannabis consumption

Gómez-Ochoa I, López-Lahoz P, Mozota J, Santos S, García Falcón A, Rivas M, Marín Risco M

Cannabis use is a widespread habit among the youth from well

developed societies, however only 20 cases dealing with cannabis

and stroke have been reported. Due to diagnostic difficulties

linked to concomitant drug abuses and the lack of specific symptoms

new cases should be studied. A 19-year-old male came to the Emergency

Service reporting severe cephalgia and impairment in the left

hemibody strength after cannabis use. Brain CT was normal and the

MRI revealed an ischaemic infarct in the porterior cerebral artery. Cannabis

was detected in the blood and in the urine analysis. After 14

days no neurologic deficits were found in the examination and the patient

left the hospital. The most relevant issues in this case are: 1) clear

aetiologic diagnosis related to cannabis use, 2) initial migraine presentation

with normal findings in the CT and 3) complete recovery.

García Falcón A, Gómez-Ochoa I, López-Lahoz P, Marín Risco M, Mozota J, Rivas M, Santos S