A Fatal Case of Dicamba Intoxication

Dicamba 급성 중독으로 인한 사망 1례

Dicamba is a benzoic acid and classified as a chemically related chlorophenoxy herbicide which is widely used for the control of broad-leaved weeds. While the chlorophenoxy herbicide poisoning is known to be uncommon, its ingestion can result in serious or sometimes fatal outcome. A 65-year-old man ingested about 300 ml of dicamba in a suicidal attempt and three hours later he was admitted hospital, complaining abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. On admission his vital signs were normal and laboratory findings were not remarkable except metabolic acidosis in arterial blood gas analysis. Shortly after the admission endotracheal tube was inserted due to altered mental state and activated charcoal was given after performing gastric lavage. However, his vital signs became unstable 6hrs after the ingestion and mechanical ventilation was started with administration of inotropic agents. In spite of urine alkalization for rapid elimination of the absorbed dicamba, the metabolic acidosis was aggravated with concomitant rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure, and he died 24 hrs after the ingestion.