Two different clinical cases of acute arsenic trioxide intoxication

This paper describes two different cases of acute suicidal arsenic trioxide intoxication. Case no 1. A 38-year-old man, alcohol abuser, who ingested 4-5 g dental paste, which corresponds to 2.2-2.7 g of pure arsenic trioxide, developed gastritis with vomiting and abdominal pain, but without diarrhea...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inPrzeglad lekarski Vol. 64; no. 4-5; p. 336
Main Authors Magdalan, Jan, Smolarek, Małgorzata, Porebska, Barbara, Zawadzki, Marcin, Dyś, Piotr
Format Journal Article
LanguagePolish
Published Poland 2007
Subjects
Adult
Alcoholic Intoxication - complications
Antidotes - therapeutic use
Arsenic - urine
Arsenic Poisoning - blood
Arsenic Poisoning - drug therapy
Arsenic Poisoning - etiology
Arsenic Poisoning - urine
Arsenicals
Chelating Agents - therapeutic use
Dehydration - chemically induced
Diarrhea - chemically induced
Dimercaprol - therapeutic use
Fatal Outcome
Gastric Lavage
Gastritis - chemically induced
Gastritis - therapy
Heart Arrest - chemically induced
Humans
Infusions, Intravenous
Male
Middle Aged
Oxides - poisoning
Renal Dialysis
Suicide, Attempted
Vomiting - chemically induced
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:This paper describes two different cases of acute suicidal arsenic trioxide intoxication. Case no 1. A 38-year-old man, alcohol abuser, who ingested 4-5 g dental paste, which corresponds to 2.2-2.7 g of pure arsenic trioxide, developed gastritis with vomiting and abdominal pain, but without diarrhea. No cardiovascular collapse or renal failure were observed. The patient developed also symptoms of central nervous system injury (minor left paresis) and transient hepatic impairment. A head CT revealed no pathological changes in the brain. Hepatic disturbance recovered in a few days and the patient could be discharged on the 12 day. Case no 2. A 57-year-old man, who ingested few grams of pure arsenic developed vomiting, abdominal pain and severe diarrhea. Cardiovascular collapse as a result of intravascular volume depletion, vasodilatation and myocardial dysfunction was observed. The patient died on the first day of hospitalization. In both cases treatment included gastric lavage, BAL therapy, haemodialysis and supportive measures.
ISSN:0033-2240