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Intravenous Poison Hemlock Injection Resulting in Prolonged Respiratory Failure and Encephalopathy
Douglas Brtalik1, Jason Stopyra2, Jennifer Hannum2
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Meads Hall 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston Salem, NC, 27103, USA. douglasbrtalikdo@gmail.com.
Background:
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is a common plant with a significant toxicity. Data on this toxicity is sparse as there have been few case reports and never a documented poisoning after intravenous injection.
Objectives:
We present a case of intravenous poison hemlock injection encountered in the emergency department.
Case Report:
We describe a 30-year-old male who presented to the emergency department after a brief cardiac arrest after injecting poison hemlock. The patient had return of spontaneous circulation in the emergency department but had prolonged muscular weakness and encephalopathy later requiring tracheostomy.
Conclusion:
Intravenous injection of poison hemlock alkaloids can result in significant toxicity, including cardiopulmonary arrest, prolonged weakness, and encephalopathy.