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Case Reports
. 2011 Mar;7(1):83-4.
doi: 10.1007/s13181-010-0097-3.

Levamisole-induced occlusive necrotizing vasculitis of the ears after use of cocaine contaminated with levamisole

Jennie A Buchanan  1 , Jody A Vogel, Aaron M Eberhardt
Affiliations
Case Reports

Levamisole-induced occlusive necrotizing vasculitis of the ears after use of cocaine contaminated with levamisole

Jennie A Buchanan et al. J Med Toxicol. 2011 Mar.

Abstract

Based on the best available data, approximately 2.1 million Americans use illicit cocaine each month; for the last several months, 30% of that cocaine has been "cut" with a veterinary pharmaceutical, levamisole. Levamisole can cause agranulocytosis, leaving patients susceptible to fulminate and opportunistic infections and also can cause a debilitating cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis. In this manuscript, we describe a case and provide an image of levamisole-induced necrotizing vasculitis of the ears.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Image showing necrosis of the patient's left ear
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Image showing necrosis of the patient's right ear
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Menni S, Pistritto G, Gianotti R, et al. Ear lobe bilateral necrosis by levamisole-induced occlusive vasculitis in a pediatric patient. Ped Derm. 1997;14(6):477–479. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1470.1997.tb00695.x. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Rongioletti F, Ghio L, Ginevri F, et al. Purpura of the ears: a distinctive vasculopathy with circulating autoantibodies complicating long-term treatment with levamisole in children. Br J Dermatol. 1999;140:948–951. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.1999.02833.x. - DOI - PubMed

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