231/449. Multisystem failure of the arsenic-poisoned patient. Due to the physiologic effects of arsenic on all body systems, the chronic arsenic-poisoned patient is a major nursing challenge. The critical care nurse provides valuable assessment and interventions that prevent major multisystem complications from arsenic toxicity. ( info) |
232/449. barium carbonate intoxication. A 22-year-old man attempted to commit suicide by swallowing an unknown amount of barium carbonate dissolved in hydrochloric acid. Shortly after ingestion, he developed crampy abdominal pain and generalized muscle weakness. About 2 h later, respiratory failure ensued necessitating orotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Concomitantly, life-threatening arrhythmias including ventricular fibrillation occurred, and he had to be resuscitated for 45 min. After correction of severe hypokalemia (serum potassium 1.5 mmol/l), cardiac rhythm stabilized. In an attempt to accelerate removal of barium from the circulation hemodialysis was begun. During hemodialysis muscle strength returned. Pharmacokinetic analysis of serum barium levels suggest that hemodialysis shortened the serum half-life of barium. Subsequently, the patient made a complete and uneventful recovery. Our case demonstrates that severe barium poisoning can be survived provided that early aggressive therapeutic measures are undertaken. Hemodialysis seems to be efficacious in the therapy of barium intoxication. ( info) |
233/449. Pediatric poisoning from over-the-counter imidazoline-containing products. We present two instructive cases of imidazoline poisoning in young children. Imidazoline decongestants, readily available in numerous non-prescription preparations, can rapidly produce toxicity from oral ingestion and topical application. signs and symptoms depend on whether peripheral or central alpha 2-adrenergic receptor stimulation predominates. Timely diagnosis depends on a high index of suspicion and careful questioning about the availability of these over-the-counter products. Standard toxicologic management will prevent significant morbidity. No specific antidote exists. ( info) |
234/449. hypercalcemia complicating an industrial near-drowning. A 28-year-old man presented with lethargy, solmulence, and polyuria following near-drowning in a vessel of an offshore oil rig. Laboratory evaluation demonstrated severe hypercalcemia that responded to saline diuresis and nasogastric suctioning. calcium salts are used frequently in the drilling and completion of oil wells, and it is presumed that this patient's hypercalcemia represented acute intoxication from swallowed and aspirated fluid. This case highlights the need to consider the potential constituents of the drowning fluid in victims of near-drowning, particularly if unexplained clinical phenomena are evident. ( info) |
235/449. Difficult diagnoses in toxicology. poisons not detected by the comprehensive drug screen. The comprehensive drug screen has serious limitations when used as the sole study for diagnosing intoxication. A careful history and physical examination in the poisoned patient can provide important clues that point to possible toxins. Ancillary studies help differentiate the most likely poison and guide treatment. Fortunately, most poison victims do well with supportive care alone. However, the clinician should be aware of agents that can cause significant harm to patients if not detected and treated quickly. iron and carbon monoxide are good examples of lethal agents that need a high index of clinical suspicion for early recognition and require specific therapy to ensure a good outcome. patients who overdose with clonidine, calcium-channel blockers, beta-adrenergic blockers, or albuterol must be managed expectantly and according to their clinical presentation because rapid laboratory verification is not available for these poisons. In all situations, the clinician must integrate information from history, physical examination, and laboratory to render the best care. ( info) |
236/449. Unsuspected quinine intoxication presenting as acute deafness and mutism. A case of unsuspected quinine overdose is reported in a 14-year-old girl. Presenting symptoms included deafness and mutism. diagnosis was delayed for approximately 4 hours because of the absence of an accurate history. Case details, laboratory values, and hospital course are discussed. Signs of cinchonism and common ototoxins are discussed. Strategies for the management of quinine overdose are reviewed. ( info) |
237/449. Treatment of digoxin intoxication in a renal failure patient with digoxin-specific antibody fragments and plasmapheresis. A patient with renal failure due to myeloma kidney and coincident digitalis intoxication due to prescribed daily digoxin administration was treated with digoxin-specific antibody fragments and plasmapheresis. Rapid response to therapy was noted, removal of digoxin-antidigoxin antibody complexes was confirmed, and prevention of delayed rebound toxicity was documented. We suggest that this is the therapy of choice in similar individuals. ( info) |
238/449. A case of concomitant ethanol and strychnine intoxication. The authors describe a patient presenting with both ethanol intoxication and important strychnine poisoning. The diagnosis and treatment of strychnine poisoning are discussed. The authors emphasize the need of careful urine screening for drugs and toxic products in all ethanol-intoxicated patients. ( info) |
| clonidine may be a source of serious toxicity when ingested by toddlers. We describe 11 cases of clonidine ingestion by toddlers (mean dose 0.15 mg/kg; range 0.01 to 0.57). The source of the clonidine was a grand-parent in six of 11 cases. Symptoms included altered level of consciousness (n = 11), miosis (n = 5), bradycardia (n = 8), hypotension (n = 5), apnea and respiratory depression (n = 6), hypothermia (n = 5) and hypertension (n = 3). Therapeutic interventions included naloxone (n = 8) and atropine (n = 4), dopamine (n = 1), fluid resuscitation (n = 4), and endotracheal intubation (n = 1). There were no deaths. Symptoms of clonidine ingestion were typically mild if the dose ingested was less than 0.01 mg/kg, while bradycardia and hypotension occurred usually with doses of greater than 0.01 mg/kg. apnea and respiratory depression were common when the dose exceeded 0.02 mg/kg. More effective measures are needed to prevent these potentially serious intoxications. ( info) |
| The case of the death by arsenic poisoning of a 62-year-old white man is presented. One year prior to death, he developed intermittent bouts of severe gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea, hyperpigmentation and keratosis of the skin, neutropenia, and Guillain-Barre-like neuropathy for which he was hospitalized several times. urine test results 6 months prior to death indicating 36 mg/L arsenic were believed to be in error. At the patient's last admission, he appeared in the emergency room with severe gastroenteritis, hypotension, and dehydration. He died 3 days later. Antemortem as well as autopsy specimens revealed elevated arsenic concentrations. Arsenic micrograms/g analysis by neutron activation of hair pulled from the man's head revealed by centimeter segmental analysis proximal to distal: 226, 104, 28, 56, 41, 40, and 74. The wife of the decedent was charged with murder by arsenic poisoning of this, her fifth, husband. The defense alleged that the decedent had committed suicide. The judge awarded a directed verdict of "not guilty." Particulars of the medical, toxicological, and investigative findings are presented. ( info) |