Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology

Original Article

Utility of the APACHE II score as a neurological prognostic factor for glufosinate-intoxicated patients with alert mental status: Rok Lee, Tae Yong Shin, Hyung Jun Moon, Hyun Jung Lee, Dongkil Jeong, Dongwook Lee, Sun In Hong, Hyun Joon Kim; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2023;21(2):135-142. Published online December 29, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.22537/jksct.2023.00018

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Abstract PDF: Purpose: In patients with glufosinate poisoning, severe neurological symptoms may be closely related to a poor prognosis, but their appearance may be delayed. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score could predict the neurological prognosis in patients with glufosinate poisoning who present to the emergency room with alert mental status.
Methods
This study was conducted retrospectively through a chart review for patients over 18 years who presented to a single emergency medical center from January 2018 to December 2022 due to glufosinate poisoning. Patients were divided into groups with a good neurological prognosis (Cerebral Performance Category [CPC] Scale 1 or 2) and a poor prognosis (CPC Scale 3, 4, or 5) to identify whether any variables showed significant differences between the two groups.
Results
There were 66 patients (67.3%) with good neurological prognoses and 32 (32.8%) with poor prognoses. In the multivariate logistic analysis, the APACHE II score, serum amylase, and co-ingestion of alcohol showed significant results, with odds ratios of 1.387 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.027–1.844), 1.017 (95% CI, 1.002–1.032), and 0.196 (95% CI, 0.040–0.948), respectively. With an APACHE II score cutoff of 6.5, the AUC was 0.826 (95% CI, 0.746–0.912). The cutoff of serum amylase was 75.5 U/L, with an AUC was 0.761 (95% CI, 0.652–0.844), and the AUC of no co-ingestion with alcohol was 0.629 (95% CI, 0.527–0.722).
Conclusion
The APACHE II score could be a useful indicator for predicting the neurological prognosis of patients with glufosinate poisoning who have alert mental status.

Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinales and Portomesenteric Venous Gas following Anticholinesterase Pesticide Poisoning: Suk Hee Lee, Kyung-Woo Lee, Jin Hee Jung; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2017;15(1):56-59. Published online June 30, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.22537/jksct.2017.15.1.56

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Abstract PDF: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and portomesenteric venous gas are uncommon radiological findings, but are found commonly in cases of bowel ischemia, or as a result of various non-ischemic conditions. A 72-year-old man visited an emergency center with altered mental status 2 hours after ingestion of an unknown pesticide. On physical examination, he showed the characteristic hydrocarbon or garlic-like odor, miotic pupils with no response to light, rhinorrhea, shallow respiration, bronchorrhea, and sweating over his face, chest and abdomen. Laboratory results revealed decreased serum cholinesterase, as well as elevated amylase and lipase level. We made the clinical diagnosis of organophosphate poisoning in this patient based on the clinical features, duration of symptoms and signs, and level of serum cholinesterase. Activated charcoal, fluid, and antidotes were administered after gastric lavage. A computerized tomography scan of the abdomen with intravenous contrast showed acute pancreatitis, poor enhancement of the small bowel, pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, portomesenteric venous gas and ascites. Emergent laparotomy could not be performed because of his poor physical condition and refusal of treatment by his family. The possible mechanisms were believed to be direct intestinal mucosal damage by pancreatic enzymes and secondary mucosal disruption due to bowel ischemia caused by shock and the use of inotropics. Physicians should be warned about the possibility of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and portomesenteric venous gas as a complication of pancreatitis following anticholinesterase poisoning.

Prognostic Predictors of Outcome in Patients with Snake Bite, Based on Initial Findings in the Emergency Department: In Yeop Baek, Tae Kwon Kim, Sang Chan Jin, Woo Ik Cho; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2017;15(1):1-10. Published online June 30, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.22537/jksct.2017.15.1.1

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Abstract PDF: Purpose: This study was conducted to identify predictors of serious poisoning in patients with snake bite based on initial findings. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with snake bite who were treated at the emergency department between January 2010 and December 2016. The patients were divided into two groups according to the severity of symptoms based on the traditional snakebite severity grading scale. The mild poisoning group (MP) was classified as those who had a grade I snakebite severity during the hospital stay, and the severe poisoning group (SP) was classified as patients who had grade I at the time of admission, but progressed to grade II-IV during hospitalization. Initial clinical manifestations and laboratory findings of the two groups were compared. Results: Bite to hospital time intervals of SP were longer than those of MP (p=0.034), and the local effect score (LES) was higher in SP (p<0.001). Laboratory analyses revealed that creatine phosphokinase (p=0.044), creatine phosphokinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB, p=0.011) and serum amylase (p=0.008) were significantly higher in SP. LES, CK-MB and serum amylase were significant prognostic predictors as indicated by univariate logistic regression analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed the following two significant predictors: LES (odds ratio=3.983, p<0.001) and serum amylase (odds ratio=1.020, p=0.017). Conclusion: In managing cases of snake bites, clinical manifestations and laboratory findings must be carefully evaluated. LES and serum amylase are predictive factors for severe poisoning, which is especially important to rapid determination of the intensive care of the patient.

The Incidence, Associated Factors and Clinical Impact of Hyperamylasemia in Self-poisoning Patients: Min Gu Seo, Sang Hoon Oh, Jee Yong Lim, Han Joon Kim, Se Min Choi; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2016;14(2):83-91. Published online December 31, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.22537/jksct.2016.14.2.83

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Abstract PDF: Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the incidence, associated factors and clinical impact of hyperamylasemia in self-poisoning patients. Methods: This study was based on a toxicology case registry of patients treated from 2009 to 2013 at a tertiary care university hospital. We retrospectively investigated the demographics, clinical variables, laboratory variables and intoxicants. Hyperamylasemia was defined as an elevation in serum amylase level to above the upper normal limit within 24 hours after admission. We analyzed the predisposing factors and clinical outcomes of patients in the hyperamylasemia group. Results: Hyperamylasemia was identified in 49 (13.3%) of the 369 patients. Using multivariate logistic regression, the odds ratios for HA were 3.384 (95% confidence interval, 1.142-8.013, p=0.014), 3.261 (95% confidence interval, 1.163-9.143, p=0.025) and 0.351 (95% confidence interval, 0.154-0.802, p=0.013) for pesticides, multi-drug use and sedatives, respectively. In the hyperamylasemia group, the peak amylase levels during 72 hours were correlated with the peak lipase levels (r=0.469, p=0.002) and peak aspartate aminotransferase levels (r=0.352, p=0.013). Finally, none of these patients had confirmed acute pancreatitis. Conclusion: Hyperamylasemia occurred rarely in these self-poisoning patients, and pesticide and multi-drug use were independent predictors of hyperamylasemia. Peak amylase levels were correlated with the peak lipase and aspartate aminotransferase levels.

Effect of Intravenous Lipid Emulsion in the Patient with Acute Poisoning : A Systematic Review: Jinwoo Myung, Dong Ryul Ko, Taeyoung Kong, Young Seon Joo, Je Sung You, Sung Phil Chung; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2015;13(1):1-10. Published online June 30, 2015

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Abstract PDF: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of intravenous lipid emulsion as well as adverse events in acute poisoning patients. Methods: Literature was accessed through PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Web of science, and KoreaMed. All forms of literatures relevant to human use of intravenous lipid emulsion for acute poisoning were included. Cases reports or letters without description of clinical outcomes for each case were excluded. The literature search was conducted by two investigators in March, 2015, with publication language restricted to English and Korean. The effect, onset time, and adverse event of lipid emulsion and final outcome of each case were analyzed. Results: Eighty-one published articles were included, excluding articles whose title and abstract were not relevant to this study. No articles were classified as high level of evidence. Sixty-eight case reports were identified, consisting of 25 local anesthetics and 43 other drugs, such as tricyclic antidepressants and calcium channel blockers. Although most cases described significant clinical improvements, some of them showed no beneficial effect or worsening of clinical course. Several adverse events including hyperamylasemia and laboratory interference were reported. Conclusion: Although there were many case reports illustrating successful use of lipid for various drug poisonings, the effect cannot be estimated due to significant possibility of publication bias. Therefore, lipids might be considered in severe hemodynamic instability resulting from lipophilic drug poisoning, however further studies should follow to establish the use of lipid as the standard of care.

A Case of Delayed Administration of Naloxone for Morphine Intoxicated Patient: Gun-Bea Kim, Won-Nyung Park, Hong-Du Gu; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2012;10(1):33-36. Published online June 30, 2012

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Abstract PDF: Opioids are the one of the most commonly used drugs to control cancer pain all over the world. But, we should not overlook the potential risk of opioid intoxication because they have well-known detrimental side effects. The opioid intoxication can be diagnosed thorough various clinical manifestations. The altered mental status, respiratory depression, and miosis is very representative clinical features although these symptoms don't always appear together. Unfortunately the opioid-toxidrome can be varied. A 42 years old man came to our emergency room after taking about 900 mg morphine sulfate per oral. He was nearly alert and his respiration was normal. Even though his symptoms didn't deteriorated clinically, serial arterial blood gas analysis showed increase in PaCO2. So we decided to use intravenous naloxone. Soon, he was fully awaked and his pupils size was increased. After a continuous infusion of intravenous naloxone for 2 hours, PaCO2 decreased to normal range and his pupil size also returned to normal after 12 hours. Though the levels of serum amylase and lipase increased slightly, his pancreas was normal according to the abdominal computed tomography. He had nausea, vomit, and whole body itching after naloxone continuous infusion, but conservatively treated. We stopped the continuos infusion after 1 day because his laboratory results and physical examinations showed normal. As this case shows, it is very important to prescribe naloxone initially. If you suspect opioid intoxication, we recommend the initial use of naloxone even though a patient has atypical clinical features. In addition, we suggest intranasal administration of naloxone as safe and effective alternative and it's necessary to consider nalmefene that has a longer duration for opioid intoxication.

A Study on Organophosphate Poisoning Patients: Comparison of the Survivor Group and Dead Group: Youn-Gyu Choi, Dong-Hyeon Lee, Woo-Hyung Kim, Gang-Wook Lee, Sun-Pyo Kim, Seong-Jung Kim, Soo-Hyung Cho, Nam-Soo Cho; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2010;8(1):16-23. Published online June 30, 2010

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Abstract PDF: Purpose: Organophosphate insecticide poisoning is common in Korea, but there is no definitive guideline for determining the severity of the poisoning and the predictive factors. Therefore, we evaluated the organophosphate poisoned patients and we divided them into two groups, the survivors and the dead, and the results might be useful for treating organophosphate poisoning patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 68 organophosphate poisoned patients who visited the Chosun University Hospital Emergency Medical Center during a 24-month period from January, 2007 to December, 2008. We made a work sheet of the patients' characteristics and the collected data was analyzed and we compared this data between the survivor group and the dead patient group. Results: There were significant differences between the survivor group and the dead patient group for the mean age, the alcohol intake state and the typically expressed signs. The dead patients had lower blood pressure, tachycardia and a lower Glasgo Coma Score (GCS) score than the survivor group. On the arterial blood gas analysis, the dead patients had more severe acidemia and they had lower saturations. Increased serum amylase levels were found in the dead patients. The survivors'initial and follow up serum pseudocholinesterase activity (after 6~8 days) was significantly higher than that of the dead group. The total amount of atropine injected to patient was less in the survivors than that in the dead patients. Conclusion: Old age and expressing the typical intoxication signs, a lower GCS score and blood pressure, showing acidosis on the gas analysis and low serum cholinesterase activity may be useful as poor prognostic indicators for patients with organophosphate poisoning. We suggest that physicians must pay careful attention to the signs and prognostic factors of organophosphate insecticide poisoned patients.

Clinical Observation of Paraquat Poisoning: Kyung-Hong Jun, Myung-Soo Kang; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2009;7(1):1-9. Published online June 30, 2009

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Abstract PDF: Purpose: Paraquat, a globally used herbicide, is highly toxic to human beings. Hence, we reviewed some cases of paraquat poisoning in Korea. Methods: We analyzed the clinical and laboratory findings of 50 patients poisoned with paraquat retrospectively. The patients were admitted to the department of internal medicine in the Eumseong KeumWang hospital from January 2008 to December 2008. Results: Among 50 cases of paraquat poisoning, 28 cases were male. Twenty-four cases (48%) were over 60 years old. Fourty-nine patients ingested paraquat on purpose as suicidal attempts, while 1 patient underwent accidental ingestion. Seven patients swallowed less than one mouthful of paraquat, of which 4 patients survived. Eleven patients swallowed two mouthfuls of paraquat, of which 8 patients survived. Thirty-two patients swallowed over three mouthfuls of paraquat and they all died. Thirty-one patients with leukocytosis died. Twenty-one patients with metabolic acidosis died. Increased levels of blood amylase and glucose were related to high mortality, and increased level of blood creatinine was related to severe mortality. Hemoperfusions were accomplished in 27 patients of paraquat poisoning, of which 12 patients survived. Conclusion: Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide. When patients arrive at the hospital, laboratory findings, urine paraquat concentrations, arrival time, and the amount of paraquat consumed must be considered for treatment plan.

A Case of Organophosphate Insecticide Intoxication by Repetitive Parenteral Exposure, Complicated with Intermediate Syndrome and Acute Pancreatitis: Se-Hyun Oh, Hui-Dong Kang, Boo-Soo Lee; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2006;4(2):161-165. Published online December 31, 2006

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Abstract PDF: Organophosphate insecticides, commonly used in agriculture, are a gradually increasing cause of accidental and suicidal poisoning. Intoxication can occur by ingestion, inhalation or dermal contact. Exposure to organophosphorus agents causes a sequentially triphasic illness consisting of the cholinergic phase, the intermediate syndrome, and organophosphate-induced delayed polyneuropathy. Acute pancreatitis as a rare complication of organophosphate intoxication has also been infrequently observed. We report a case of intoxication with organophosphate (phos-phamidon) by parenteral exposure (inhalation and/or dermal contact). A 34-year-old male patient was transferred to our Emergency Medical Center and was intubated due to a progressive respiratory failure. He presented with meiotic pupils, cranial nerve palsies, weak respiration, and proximal limb motor weaknesses without sensory changes. He had been employed in filling syringes with phosphamidon during the previous month. Because the patient's history and symptoms suggested organophosphate intoxication with intermediate syndrome, he was mechanically ventilated for 18 days with continuous infusion of atropine and pralidoxime (total amounts of 159 mg and 216 g, respectively). During his admission, hyperamylasemia and hyperli-pasemia were detected, and his abdominal CT scan showed a finding compatible with acute pancreatitis. He was administered a conservative treatment with NPO and nasogastric drainage. The patient was discharged and showed neither gastrointestinal nor neurologic sequelae upon follow up at one week and three months.

A Case Report of Saliva-type Hyperamylasemia in Mad Honey Poisoning: Kun-Woo Lee, Kyu-Nam Park, Mi-Jin Lee; J Korean Soc Clin Toxicol. 2006;4(2):166-169. Published online December 31, 2006

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Abstract PDF: Poisonings caused by 'mad honey' are known to occur in response to grayanotoxins, which bind to sodium channels in the cell membrane, increasing membrane sodium permeability and preventing inactivation. Mild symptoms of mad honey intoxication are dizziness, weakness, hypersalivation, nausea, vomiting, and paresthesia. Severe intoxication, however, leads to serious cardiac manifestations such as atrioventricular block, dose-dependent hypotension, bradycardia, and respiratory depression. Atropine and vasoactive drugs improve symptoms of both bradycardia and respiratory rate depression. We report an unusual case of saliva-type hyperamylasemia in a mad honey poisoning patient who developed clinically significant bradycardia. She recovered fully within 3 days following atropine administration and medical treatment.

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