buprenorphine and Foreign-Bodies

Crospovidone is an insoluble pharmaceutical disintegrant that has been implicated in a rare foreign body reaction in injection drug users, classically associated with pulmonary angiothrombosis. We recently reported the first known cases of cutaneous crospovidone deposition. We herein report two additional cases with unique clinicopathologic manifestations, both in the setting of suspected injection drug abuse. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive overview of the distinct histomorphology and reproducible histochemistry of crospovidone.

Topics: Adult; Analgesics, Opioid; Buprenorphine; Female; Foreign Bodies; Humans; Injections, Subcutaneous; Male; Pharmaceutic Aids; Povidone; Skin; Substance-Related Disorders

Skin biopsies were performed in a patient with livedoid and necrotic lesions of the forearm. Periodic acid-Schiff-stained and birefringent Maltese cross-patterned foreign bodies were observed in capillary vessels. It was consistent with the diagnosis of intra-arterial injections of a substance containing corn starch. This finding confirmed the clinical diagnosis of intra-arterial injection of solubilized tablets of buprenorphine. This case constitutes a rare clinical presentation of foreign bodies injections in a drug addict.

Topics: Adult; Biopsy; Buprenorphine; Foreign Bodies; Humans; Injections, Intra-Arterial; Male; Narcotic Antagonists; Necrosis; Skin; Skin Diseases, Vascular; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Adult; Buprenorphine; Crime; Drug Packaging; Foreign Bodies; Gastroscopy; Humans; Male; Narcotics; Stomach