Open AccessA Case of Respiratory Failure Due to Poison Hemlock Poisoning Presented to an Emergency Department
Author(s) -
Erenler AK,
Baydin A,
Duran L,
Yardan T,
Turkoz B
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
hong kong journal of emergency medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2309-5407
pISSN - 1024-9079
DOI - 10.1177/102490791101800408
Subject(s) - medicine , emergency department , respiratory failure , accidental , depression (economics) , poison control , intensive care medicine , breathing , emergency medicine , surgery , anesthesia , psychiatry , physics , acoustics , economics , macroeconomics
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is one of the most poisonous plants in the world. Accidental ingestion of the plant could result in central nervous system depression, respiratory failure and even death. Airway and breathing management followed by fluid resuscitation is the mainstay of treatment. Poison hemlock poisoning is an important differential diagnosis for patients with impaired consciousness and respiratory failure after plant ingestion in areas of natural habitat for the plant. Early and proper diagnosis is vital for patients with poison hemlock poisoning. In this report, we present a case of life‐threatening poisoning due to taking the poison hemlock mistaken for Helichrysum arenarium.