• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.41-46
• /
• 2017

Purpose: To determine the incidence of post-concussion syndrome (PCS) in Korean patients after minor traumatic brain injury. Methods: We conducted an observational cohort study of a convenience sample of patients presenting to the emergency department of a major academic Korean hospital. Patients who visited the Emergency Department for head trauma were screened. A researcher questioned the subject regarding his or her symptoms. Subjects were contacted by phone approximately 2 weeks after their Emergency Department visit and questioned about subsequent symptoms and subsequent visits for medical care. Results: Only 8% of subjects reported any post-concussion symptoms. Only 0.4% had three or more symptoms which might have met criteria for PCS. The median peak onset of symptoms was 3 days after injury. Conclusion: The incidence of PCS is Korean patients is much lower than that documented for patients in the United States or other western countries. On the other hand, this study results could give an idea that mild trauma could also cause the PCS. Further study is needed to replicate this finding and investigate possible explanations for this difference.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.56-59
• /
• 2005

Blister beetles produce cantharidin, which is toxic to people and animals. Cantharidin has been believed to be an aphrodisiac and an abortifacient based on its tendency to cause marked irritation to the genitourinary system leading to priapism in men and pelvic congestion in women for many years. Cantharidin was used by oriental traditional medicine for more than 2000 years. Typical signs related to cantharidin ingestion are gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract irritation, endotoxemia, shock and myocardial dysfunction. Cantharidin is a severe irritant to epithelial linings (gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, and skin) and develop systemic inflammatory response syndrome. We report a case of corrosive esophagogastritis and acute renal failure by ingestion of cantharidin.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.65-68
• /
• 2006

Contact urticaria describes a wheal and falre response elicitied within 30-60 minutes after cutaneous exposure to certain agents. Contact urticaria encompasses a number of different clinical manifestations and the symptoms which can vary from the mildest forms of burning, stinging and itching sensation to life-threatening anaphylaxis referred to as contact urticaria syndrome. Cefotiam is one of the most popular second generation cephem antibiotic used in korea. Since 1975, contact urticaria due to cephalosporins has been reported, and also, in japan, this reported from about last 15 years. Recently we experienced three nurses working at the general wards with showing contact urticaria and anaphylaxis after occupational exposure to cefotiam antibiotics.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.46-48
• /
• 2013

Potamotrygon motoro, also known as the Marble motoro, is a potamodromous freshwater ray native to the basins of the Amazon River. Marble motoros were introduced to South Korea in the 2000s, and, because they are easy to raise, were sold as aquarium fish. The aim of this report is to illustrate a new case involving envenomation by a Marble motoro. A 35-year-old commercial aquarium assistant came to the hospital after being pricked by a Marble motoro. The clinical picture in this case showed acute local pain with minimal systemic manifestations. This patient recovered after receiving symptomatic treatment and wound care. This case of envenomation accentuates the potential for injury among people coming in contact with a venomous Marble motoro.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.36-40
• /
• 2013

Ethylene glycol poisoning is treated mainly by alcohol dehydrogenase inhibition therapy and hemodialysis. Early recognition and initiation of treatment is important because toxic metabolites increase over time by hepatic metabolism; however, there is no confirmative diagnostic tool in our clinical setting. Therefore, diagnosis is dependent on history, high anion gap acidosis, high osmolal gap, etc.. Diagnosis and treatment are delayed in cases where history taking is not possible, such as a mental changed patient. Authors report on two cases of ethylene glycol poisoning by contrasting clinical outcomes, demonstrating the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for achievement of a good outcome.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.31-35
• /
• 2013

Acute organophosphate intoxication is important because of its high morbidity and mortality. The mortality is still high despite the use of atropine as specific antidotal therapy and oximes for reactivation of acetylcholinesterase. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by organophosphate can cause acute parasympathetic system dysfunction, muscle weakness, seizure, coma, and respiratory failure. Acute alteration in conscious state or a coma, which may occur following organophosphate intoxication, is an indication of severe intoxication and poorer prognosis. This acute decline in conscious state often reverses when the cholinergic crisis settles; however, it may be prolonged in some patients. We report on a case of a 60-year-old male who showed prolonged decline in conscious state due to of Central Nervous System (CNS) toxicity after a suicide attempt with organophosphate.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.19-22
• /
• 2013

Dextromethorphan and chlorpeniramine are common ingredients of over-the-counter (OTC) cough pills. They are known to be safe when used alone, however, combination with other serotonergic drugs or use of an overdose can cause serotonergic toxicity. We report on a 43-year-old male and a 57-year-old female who ingested an overdose of antitussive drugs containing dextromethorphan and chlorpeniramine. They commonly presented with altered mentality and hyperreflexia on both upper and lower extremities. After conservative therapies, they were discharged with alert mentality. These cases are meaningful in that there are few cases of serotonin syndrome with an overdose of a combination of dextromethorphan and chlorpeniramine. Careful use with medication counseling for OTC cough pills is needed in order to prevent overdose of these ingredients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.85-87
• /
• 2014

A total of 631 species of spiders have been reported in Korea. However, there are no spiders with noxious venom such as Latrodectus sp. Because of this, to date, no serious medical problems due to spider bites have been reported in Korea, and only two cases of spider bite were officially reported. However, as the number of earning spiders from other countries is increased, the number of cases of spider bite has also shown a recent increase. A 17-year-old man presented with numbness of both extremities after being bitten by a spider which he had as a pet. The spider is called an Indian ornamental tree spider (Poecilotheria regalis sp.), one kind of tarantula species. Herein, we report on a case of a spider bite by a tarantula.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.59-63
• /
• 2021

Copper sulfate is widely used as a fungicide and pesticide. Acute copper sulfate poisoning is rare but potentially lethal in severe cases. Copper sulfate can lead to cellular damage of red blood cells, hepatocytes, and myocytes. Toxic effects include intravascular hemolysis, acute tubular necrosis and, rhabdomyolysis. A 76-year-old man presented with vomiting and epigastric pain. He had ingested a copper-containing fungicide (about 13.5 g of copper sulfate) while attempting suicide 2 hours prior to presentation. From day 3 at the hospital, laboratory findings suggesting intravascular hemolysis were noted with increased serum creatinine level. He was treated with a chelating agent, dimercaptosuccinic acid (succimer). His anemia and acute kidney injury gradually resolved with a 19-day regimen of succimer. Our case suggests that succimer can be used for copper sulfate poisoning when other chelating agents are not available.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2005.10a
• /
• pp.370-370
• /
• 2005