Lacunar infarction associated with anabolic steroids and polycythemia: a case report

Androgen abuse: Risks and adverse effects in men

Androgens, formerly known as anabolic-androgenic steroids, mimic the effects of testosterone and are being increasingly abused for nonmedical purposes such as body and performance enhancement. Androgen abuse is associated with increased mortality, and multisystem adverse effects have been reported, including cardiovascular toxicity, infertility, hypogonadism, hepatotoxicity, and mental health disorders. Men may present with the negative health consequences of androgen abuse even despite cessation for a number of years. There is frequently a reluctance to disclose androgen abuse, and substances are often sourced from the black market, which is not regulated and where the products sold may be counterfeit. All men should be encouraged to stop androgen abuse. Managing associated adverse effects will be organ-specific and is complex due to physical and neuropsychiatric symptoms, substance dependence, and high rates of relapse. Given the broad reach and prolonged adverse effects of androgen abuse, clinicians across medical specialties should have an awareness of androgen abuse, its increasing prevalence, and the harms it poses to men and their families. This narrative review aims to summarize the adverse effects and risks associated with androgen abuse.

Acute ischaemic stroke in secondary polycythaemia due to complex congenital cyanotic heart disease

A 65-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with an acute onset of left-sided hemiparesis and slurred speech for 6 hours. Physical examination was notable for clubbing and peripheral cyanosis. Brain MRI showed an acute infarct involving the right gangliocapsular region. Investigations showed an elevated haemoglobin level, a haematocrit level of >65% and thrombocytopaenia. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed tricuspid atresia, ventricular septal defect and atrial septal defect. A diagnosis of cyanotic congenital heart disease was made. Studies have indicated an association between raised haematocrit and vascular occlusive episodes in patients with polycythaemia vera. However, a relationship between raised haematocrit due to polycythaemia secondary to complex congenital heart disease and vascular thrombosis has not been reported. The improvement of neurological deficits in our patient coincided with a decline in haematocrit. The objective of this report was to highlight an association between elevated haematocrit and ischaemic stroke in patients with secondary polycythaemia due to complex congenital heart disease.

Ischemic Stroke Caused by Secondary Polycythemia and Incidentally-Found Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report

Patient: Male, 51

Final Diagnosis: Renal cell carcinoma

Symptoms: Facial droop • headache • slurred speech • weakness

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: —

Specialty: Hematology

Acute unilateral sensorineural hearing loss associated with anabolic steroids and polycythaemia: case report

Background:

Unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss due to an infarct in the vertebrobasilar system has been widely reported. Most patients have a background of traditional coronary risk factors related to these cerebrovascular episodes.

Case report:

A 32-year-old male, a regular user of anabolic steroids, presented to the emergency department with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and symptoms suggestive of an infarct of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery but in the absence of risk factors for ischaemic stroke.

Results:

Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of infarction in the region supplied by the anterior inferior cerebellar artery. Polycythaemia was found on haematological analysis, which we believe was secondary to the use of anabolic steroids. The patient was commenced on aspirin as per the stroke management protocol. There was resolution of neurological symptomatology six weeks after the episode, but no improvement in hearing.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, this is the first case report of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss secondary to the use of anabolic steroids causing polycythaemia. This cause should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with sensorineural hearing loss, especially in young males, when no other risk factors can be identified.