Shocking images have revealed a little-known, but devastating, effect of heavy drug use – a condition known as hanging head syndrome.
The photos - released by doctors at Al-Zahra University Hospital in Isfahan, Iran - show a 23-year-old man with an extreme neck bend, which developed after years of substance abuse.
The drugs caused a significant curvature of the spine until the neck was no longer able to support the head.
Hanging head syndrome – also known as loose head syndrome – is characterized by severe weakness of the neck muscles and is usually associated with neuromuscular disorders, such as motor neurone disease.
But doctors say that this syndrome can also be caused by substance abuse.
Doctors reported that amphetamine (also known as “speed”) use caused what they called a fixed neck position with kyphosis, where the patient’s chin remained drooping over the chest for long periods of time.
He also experienced chronic neck pain and paresthesia – tingling, numbness, or pins and needles – in his arms.
Although the patient had no history of any severe neck trauma that could explain the symptoms, he had a history of depression and use of amphetamine, opium, and heroin.
Doctors noted that before the onset of addiction, the patient had no neck deformity.
Dr. Majid Rezvani, co-author of the case study, said: “We found that drug abuse contributed to the unusual development of severe and complicated cervical kyphosis [excessive curvature of the upper back].”
“The substance does not have a direct effect on muscular or skeletal changes,” he explained – GazetaExpress reports.
“But there is an indirect effect: when the patient uses the drug, they stay in a certain position for a long time and, after months, this causes muscular and skeletal changes that lead to kyphoscoliosis.”
The man suffered from the symptoms for more than 15 months, which he attempted to treat with herbal remedies before seeking professional help, according to the report.
However, cranial nerve tests, muscle strength tests, and autonomic nervous system tests all came back normal.
A CT scan revealed that he had an extremely deformed spine.
The patient was initially placed under general anesthesia, and doctors noted that this was sufficient to somewhat reduce the neck deformity.
However, they were unable to completely correct it, so it was decided to perform surgical intervention.
To fix the neck, doctors removed the deformed bone and used a locked cage for support.
The surgery was successful and no neurological symptoms were observed. The strength in the limb was also 100 percent.
The day after surgery, the patient was able to walk with the help of a stiff collar – which he wore for three months.
He attended therapy and rehabilitation after the surgery, which helped him overcome his drug addiction.
Doctors are satisfied that the spinal correction was effective.
They have now proposed the term "intoxication syndrome" for patients who exhibit these symptoms.
Those affected by the issues mentioned in this article can seek confidential help and support through “Talk to Frank”". /GazetaExpress/
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