Increased Prevalence of Nitrous Oxide–Induced Subacute Combined Degeneration of the Spinal Cord: Clinical and Imaging Findings
This case series reflects the growing incidence and prevalence of N<sub>2</sub>O-SACD. Presentations occurring exclusively between 2020-2024 correlate with the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, which aligns with reported increased misuse across Europe at this time. MRI cervicothoracic spine with T1, T2, and STIR sagittal and T2 axial sequences should suffice for radiologic diagnosis and should be interpreted in conjunction with clinical, laboratory, and, in some cases, electrophysiologic findings.
Authors
- Seamus Looby (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6697-2580)
- Matthew Crockett (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3758-9395)
- Hayley Briody (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1844-9426)
- Richard Bruen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1775-5405)
- Conor Brosnan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6902-5164)
- Sophie Sabherwal
- Matthew Common
- Sneha Singh
- Lisa Costello
Institutions
- Beaumont Hospital (IE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- American Journal of Neuroradiology
- Published
- 2026-01-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.a9062
- Primary Topic
- Cervical and Thoracic Myelopathy
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00