Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
09:02
Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion (PHP) with Melphalan as a Treatment for Unresectable Metastases Confined to the Liver
Published on: July 31, 2016
Charcoal hemoperfusion for phenytoin intoxication.
Poddutoor Preetham Kumar1, Lokesh Lingappa, Mehul A Shah
1Departments of Pediatric Intensive Care, Rainbow Childrens Hospital and Perinatal Centre, Hyderabad, India. drpreethamp@gmail.com
Indian Pediatrics
|March 14, 2012
Summary
Accidental phenytoin overdose in children can cause serious neurological issues. Charcoal hemoperfusion effectively reduced phenytoin levels in a pediatric case, a novel treatment approach for this age group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Nephrology
Background:
- Accidental phenytoin ingestion poses a risk of severe neurological sequelae in children.
- Charcoal hemoperfusion is an extracorporeal technique used to remove toxins from the blood.
- Previous literature has not documented the use of charcoal hemoperfusion in pediatric phenytoin overdose cases.
Observation:
- A pediatric patient experienced accidental phenytoin ingestion.
- The patient presented with symptoms indicative of phenytoin toxicity.
- Standard treatment measures were considered, leading to the exploration of alternative interventions.
Findings:
- Charcoal hemoperfusion was initiated in the pediatric patient.
- The procedure led to a significant decrease in serum phenytoin levels.
- The child showed clinical improvement following the intervention, suggesting a positive response to charcoal hemoperfusion.
Implications:
- Charcoal hemoperfusion represents a potentially effective treatment for severe pediatric phenytoin overdose.
- This case expands the therapeutic options for managing poisoning in children.
- Further research is warranted to establish the safety and efficacy of charcoal hemoperfusion in pediatric toxicology.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Hemoperfusion and Hemofiltration
Hemoperfusion and hemofiltration are critical techniques in medical treatments to eliminate accumulated drugs, metabolites, and electrolytes from the bloodstream. These methods are particularly vital in cases of accidental poisoning and drug overdose.Hemoperfusion involves passing blood through an adsorbent material to remove unwanted substances. The main adsorbents used in hemoperfusion include activated charcoal and Amberlite resins. Activated charcoal can adsorb both polar and nonpolar...
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies
Treatment strategies for poisoning are a critical aspect of emergency medicine, focusing on preventing the absorption of toxins and enhancing their elimination. When a poisoning incident occurs, the first response is to halt exposure and decontaminate the patient, particularly through gastrointestinal (GI) methods if the poison was ingested.Gastrointestinal Decontamination Techniques:Activated charcoal is the cornerstone of GI decontamination. It works through adsorption, binding the toxin to...
01:26Enhanced Elimination of Poison
Poison can be effectively removed from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through various decontamination procedures.
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
01:14Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
In cases of acute poisoning, the primary objective is to prevent further absorption of the toxic substance into the body. Immediate interventions using various decontamination techniques targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can achieve this. Decontamination is crucial to prevent poison from entering the systemic circulation, which involves washing affected areas with water and mild soap and removing contaminated clothing. Once external decontamination is done, attention must be turned to...
01:30Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis
Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or those experiencing drug overdose often require extracorporeal methods to eliminate accumulated drugs and metabolites. Hemoperfusion, hemofiltration, and dialysis are the primary techniques to rapidly remove harmful substances without disrupting the patient's fluid and electrolyte balance. For those with compromised renal function, dosage adjustments of concurrent medications may be necessary during extracorporeal drug removal.Dialysis is a process...
01:26Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is an essential intervention for patients experiencing severe kidney dysfunction. This therapy offers a continuous mechanism for removing fluids and toxins from the bloodstream, leveraging the patient’s blood pressure to facilitate filtration through a specialized filter. This method contrasts with intermittent dialysis, providing a gentler and more consistent removal of waste products and excess fluid, which is particularly beneficial in critically...