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A Case of Acute Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning Leading to Demyelinating Optic Neuropathy


Affiliations
1 Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, India
2 Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, India
     

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Aluminum phosphide has been known, to be a major cause of non-accidental poisoning all over the world. The most common clinical manifestations being gastrointestinal and cardiovascular. Ocular manifestations have not been documented in the literature. We report a unique and rare presentation of aluminum phosphide poisoning. A 16 year old girl was brought with alleged ingestion of aluminum phosphide tablet and, developed redness and decreased vision in both the eyes. Visually Evoked Potential was suggestive of demyelinating optic neuropathy. She was treated with eye padding and eye drops to prevent dryness. Recovery and improvement in vision was seen after 5-6 days of ingestion. Aluminum phosphide poisoning may cause demyelinating optic neuropathy as a rare complication. In the presence of ocular symptoms, further ophthalmological and neurological evaluation is recommended. It is a diagnosis of exclusion and other possible etiologies must be ruled out before making the diagnosis.

Keywords

Aluminium Phosphide, Demyelinating Optic Neuropathy.
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  • A Case of Acute Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning Leading to Demyelinating Optic Neuropathy

Abstract Views: 716  |  PDF Views: 3

Authors

Kumar Ashwini
Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, India
Shashidhara Sowmya
Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, India
Bhaskarananda Nalini
Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, India
Kini Sandesh
Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, India

Abstract


Aluminum phosphide has been known, to be a major cause of non-accidental poisoning all over the world. The most common clinical manifestations being gastrointestinal and cardiovascular. Ocular manifestations have not been documented in the literature. We report a unique and rare presentation of aluminum phosphide poisoning. A 16 year old girl was brought with alleged ingestion of aluminum phosphide tablet and, developed redness and decreased vision in both the eyes. Visually Evoked Potential was suggestive of demyelinating optic neuropathy. She was treated with eye padding and eye drops to prevent dryness. Recovery and improvement in vision was seen after 5-6 days of ingestion. Aluminum phosphide poisoning may cause demyelinating optic neuropathy as a rare complication. In the presence of ocular symptoms, further ophthalmological and neurological evaluation is recommended. It is a diagnosis of exclusion and other possible etiologies must be ruled out before making the diagnosis.

Keywords


Aluminium Phosphide, Demyelinating Optic Neuropathy.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.22506/ti%2F2016%2Fv23%2Fi3%2F146723