A Case of Arisaematis Rhizoma Poisoning.
- Author:
Soonchang PARK
1
;
Seokran YEOM
;
Sangkyoon HAN
;
Seonghwa LEE
;
Seongyong JU
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea. seokrany@pusan.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Arisaematis rhizome;
Calcium oxalate;
Herb
- MeSH:
Adrenal Cortex Hormones;
Aphonia;
Calcium Oxalate;
Edema;
Emergency Service, Hospital;
Histamine Antagonists;
Humans;
Hypocalcemia;
Male;
Mastication;
Middle Aged;
Oral Ulcer;
Plants;
Plants, Medicinal;
Plants, Toxic;
Poisoning*;
Rhizome;
Sialorrhea;
Spouses
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
2014;25(6):788-790
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Due to increasing participation in outdoor activities, many people visit the emergency room for various symptoms after mistaking poisonous plants for medicinal herbs. The toxicity of Arisaematis rhizome is due to its content of calcium oxalate, which causes painful oropharyngeal edema, hypersalivation, aphonia, oral ulceration, esophageal erosion, and hypocalcemia. We report a case of accidental poisoning after chewing and spitting of the root of A. rhizome, resulting in focal symptoms-such as oral pain, swelling and drooling-that required only conservative management. A 54-year-old male and his 58-year-old wife developed oral pain, swelling and drooling after accidentally chewing and spitting the root of the A. rhizome plant as a medicinal herb. Their symptoms started immediately after chewing on and spitting out the root of A. rhizome, and they were unable to speak due to oral pain, swelling, and hypersalivation on arrival at the emergency department. They were treated with antihistamines and corticosteroids and painkillers. A few hours after treatment, they had improved and were discharged from the hospital.
