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KMID : 0357820170410040137
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Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
2017 Volume.41 No. 4 p.137 ~ p.140
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Death from Naphthalene Poisoning Manifesting as Toxic Hepatitis: An Autopsy Case
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Choi Jin-Hyuk
Park Seong-Hwan
Park Min-Jee
Jeon Seok-Hoon
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Abstract
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Suicide through naphthalene poisoning is rare. Prolonged hemolytic anemia and hemoglobinuria are typical symptoms of naphthalene poisoning. We report an unusual case of naphthalene poisoning. The decedent was an 87-year-old female who intentionally ingested over 5 g of naphthalene. After more than 5 hours, she was found in a drowsy state. During initial examination, hemoglobin level and urine test results were normal. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were elevated (854 and 1,197 U/L, respectively). Metabolic acidosis was found on arterial blood gas analysis. The patient was treated conservatively by administration of activated charcoal, calcium gluconate, insulin, and glucose. However, the patient died after 1 day of hospital admission. On autopsy, the liver showed toxic hepatitis with confluent necrosis. Naphthalene concentrations in the blood and gastric contents were 5.4 and 5.8 mg/L, respectively. In conclusion, the decedent ingested naphthalene and died due to liver failure without hemolysis.
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KEYWORD
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Toxic hepatitis, Naphthalenes, Autopsy
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