Two Cases of Comatose Patients Presenting after Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide Gas.
- Author:
Hyun Ho RYU
1
;
Byeong Guk LEE
;
Kyung Woon JEUNG
;
Tag HEO
;
Yong Il MIN
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Chonnam National University, School of Medicine, Gwangju, Republic of Korea. oriryu@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Hydrogen sulfide;
Cytochrome oxidase;
Occupation;
Prognosis;
Coma
- MeSH:
Coma;
Death, Sudden;
Electron Transport Complex IV;
Humans;
Hydrogen;
Hydrogen Sulfide;
Indicators and Reagents;
Occupations;
Odors;
Olfactory Nerve;
Paralysis;
Prognosis
- From:Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
2009;7(1):26-31
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Hydrogen sulfide is a by-product of decayed organic material and is ubiquitously found as an ingredient of manufacturing reagents or as an undesirable by-product of the manufacturing or industrial processing. Hydrogen sulfide is a chemical asphyxiant and interferes with cytochrome oxidase and aerobic metabolism. It has thus been deemed an important cause of work-related sudden death. This gas is particularly insidious due to the unpredictability of its presence and concentration and its neurotoxicity at relatively low concentrations, causing olfactory nerve paralysis and loss of the warning odor. Here, we report two cases of comatose patients presenting after accidental exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas.
