Citation Information :
Vengaldas S, Chenimilla NP, Israel J, Fathima R, Madire R. Paraquat Poisoning Complicated by Pneumothoraces and Pneumomediastinum: Two Cases. Indian J Respir Care 2023; 12 (3):259-262.
Aim and background: The present study on paraquat poisoning gives a detail about the compound, presentation of patient to emergency, management and complications. Paraquat is a bipyridylium compound that, when ingested, has a corrosive action locally and organ injury caused by free radicals. Pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum cause respiratory distress, eventually increasing the mortality.
Case description: Herein we report two young males who presented with history of consumption of paraquat. Gastric lavage was done at a local hospital for both patients and presented to us in a hemodynamically stable state for further management. Both the patients underwent ICD insertion and were treated with steroids, cyclophosphamide and antioxidants and one of patient requiring mechanical ventilator support. In spite of aggressive treatment both the patients have succumbed.
Conclusion: In case of history of exposure or ingestion of paraquat early presentation may help in aggressive decontamination reducing further complications. Whereas patients presenting with pneumomediastinum pose a 100% risk of mortality.
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