Neurotoxic Syndromes Sequencially Occuring after Consumption of Organophosphorus Compound - A Case Report

Abstract

Organo-phosphorus compounds (OPC) are among the most used poisons for suicide in India, and associated toxic syndromes are well described. We report a young man who presented to us with alleged consumption of chlorpyrifos, a crystalline organophosphate insecticide. During hospitalization he developed acute organo-phosphorus toxicity (type I) and intermediate syndrome (type II), both situations were managed by assisted ventilation and supportive care. After 6 weeks of discharge he reported with features of delayed poly neuropathy (type III). It is rare for these patients to follow up at the same centre to identify and manage these toxicities. Often the type III toxicity is misdiagnosed and over investigated for other causes of neuropathy. Though OPC poisoning is commonly encountered in practice, only few reports have described all toxicities to occur in the same patient.