We describe an 81 year-old man with a 17 year history of levodopa responsive Parkinson’s Disease (PD), treated with Continuous Subcutaneous Apomorphine Infusion (CSAI) at rate of 5 mg/hour × 12 hours daily for 3 years.
Other medications include L-Dopa 1000 mg daily, Rasagiline 1 mg daily, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg nocte, Clonazepam 1 mg nocte and Apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily. In the last month he developed multiple subcutaneous nodules and changing the injections site was decided. He then experienced ulcerative lesions on his thighs and shoulders 24 hours post infusion at each injection site. (Figures 1 and 2)
Figure 1 and 2
Are showing injection site reactions with skin necrosis and overlying eschar at his right shoulder and thigh.
Subcutaneous administration of apomorphine is generally well tolerated. Site reactions, such as nodules, are mild and temporary. However in rare cases these lesions can become necrotizing. Another report noted similar results in a young patient with longstanding PD, which resolved over one month following discontinuation [1, 2].
An expert consensus recommendation to manage apomorphine therapy-related skin nodules was published, because up to 92% of patients on CSAI can experience skin problems [3].
In our patient the skin lesions did not improve despite changing infusion sites and preparation. His skin started to improve four weeks after discontinuation of CSAI.
Competing Interests
The authors have no competing interests to declare.