Citation

Pandit V, Seshadri S, Rao SN, Samarasinghe C, Kumar A, Valsalan R. J. Emerg. Trauma Shock 2011; 4(1): 132-134.

Affiliation

Department of Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal University, Karnataka, India.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, INDO-US Emergency and Trauma Collaborative, Publisher Medknow Publications)

DOI

10.4103/0974-2700.76825

PMID

21633583

PMCID

PMC3097564

Abstract

Organophosphate (OP) poisoning is common in India. Only few case reports of parenteral OP poisoning have been described. We report a case of self-injected methyl parathion poisoning, presenting after four days with seizure, altered sensorium, and respiratory distress which posed a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. Despite nonavailability of history of OP poisoning, he was treated based on suspicion and showed a good clinical response to treatment trial with atropine and pralidoxime, and had a successful recovery. Atypical presentations may be encountered following parenteral administration of OP poison, and even a slight suspicion of this warrants proper investigations and treatment for a favorable outcome. Persistently low plasma cholinesterase level is a useful marker for making the diagnosis.

Language: en