Incomplete paraplegia following use of heroin: a case report and review of the literature.

Neurological complications involving the lumbar spine following intravenous injection of heroin was observed in a 28-year-old man. On admission, steroids were administrated, and the patient had a complete recovery after an interval of 2 days. There have been more than 46 cases reported in the literature with similar findings to the one presented here. The mechanism of neuropathology of heroin abuse is still unknown. Possible mechanisms are a toxic, allergic, or a hypersensitivity reaction. Rare cases of complete recovery have been reported.