Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

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
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


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.
User
Subscription Login to verify subscription
Notifications
Font Size

  • Gupta SK, Peshin SS, Srivastava A, Kaleekal T. A study of childhood poisoning at National Poisons Information Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Journal of occupational health. 2003;45(3):191-6.
  • Bumbrah GS, Krishan K, Kanchan T, Sharma M, Sodhi GS. Phosphide poisoning: a review of literature. Forensic science international. 2012;214(1-3):1-6.
  • Mehrpour O, Singh S. Rice tablet poisoning: a major concern in Iranian population. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2010;29(8):701-2.
  • Valmas N, Zuryn S, Ebert PR. Mitochondrial uncouplers act synergistically with the fumigant phosphine to disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential and cause cell death. Toxicology. 2008;252(1-3):33-9.
  • Singh SP, Aggarwal AD, Oberoi SS, Aggarwal KK, Thind AS, Bhullar DS, et al. Study of poisoning trends in north India--a perspective in relation to world statistics. Journal of forensic and legal medicine. 2013;20(1):14-8.
  • Gurjar M, Baronia AK, Azim A, Sharma K. Managing aluminum phosphide poisonings. Journal of emergencies, trauma, and shock. 2011;4(3):378-84.
  • Sinha US, Kapoor AK, Singh AK, Gupta A, Mehrotra R. Histopathological changes in cases of aluminium phosphide poisoning. Indian journal of pathology & microbiology. 2005;48(2):177-80.
  • Mehrpour O, Jafarzadeh M, Abdollahi M. A systematic review of aluminium phosphide poisoning. Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju. 2012;63(1):61-73.
  • Moghadamnia AA. An update on toxicology of aluminum phosphide. Daru : journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. 2012;20(1):25.
  • Toosy AT, Mason DF, Miller DH. Optic neuritis. The Lancet Neurology. 2014;13(1):83-99.

Abstract Views: 699

PDF Views: 3




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

Abstract Views: 699  |  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