We experienced a case of group mushroom poisoning. The victims were Chinese workers. They developed symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain one hour after ingestion of wild mushrooms growing at a riverside. Generally, it is very difficult to identify quickly a species of wild mushroom. Therefore we were in trouble about the treatment because they might have taken deadly mushrooms, such as ‘Amanita versa’ and ‘Amanita virosa’. ‘Chlorophyllum molybdites’ looks like these mushrooms. In this case, the incubation period is different between Chlorophyllum molybdites and Amanita species, so we could know that the mushroom they had taken was not so dangerous. There are various folk believes about mushroom poisoning, but many of them are groundless. In this case, the Chinese workers also belived a wrong one. The problem is that a simple and easy method for distinguishing harmless mushrooms from poisonous one is yet to be established in society.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement is effective for dysphagia that results from malignant obstruction of the esophagus or gastric cardia; however, stent-related complications may be life-threatening. Thus, the goal of this study was to identify risk factors associated with complications following esophageal stenting. METHODS: Of the 71 patients who underwent SEMS placement for dysphagia as a result of malignant stricture of the esophagus or gastric cardia, 53 patients with squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma, without previous SEMS placement, without a fistula, and without recurrent tumor after surgery were retrospectively identified. The occurrence of stent-related complications was used as an endpoint. RESULTS: Stent-related complications were identified in 26 patients (49.1%), and major complications occurred in 14 patients (26.4%). The use of an Ultraflex stent (odds ratio [OR], 6.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.54 to 30.00; p=0.011) and prior chemotherapy (OR, 6.13; 95% CI, 1.46 to 25.70; p=0.013) were significantly associated with stent-related complications. Moreover, the use of an Ultraflex stent (OR, 19.60; 95% CI, 2.26 to 170.00; p=0.007) and prior radiation (OR, 25.70; 95% CI, 2.37 to 280.00; p=0.008) significantly increased the risk of major complications. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an Ultraflex stent and prior radiation and/or chemotherapy may represent risk factors for complications following esophageal SEMS placement.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cardia* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Deglutition Disorders ; Drug Therapy ; Esophagus* ; Fistula ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stents