Thallium poisoning in Israel

Am J Med Sci. 2000 Nov;320(5):327-30. doi: 10.1097/00000441-200011000-00005.

Abstract

We report the first case of thallium poisoning in Israel in almost 30 years. A 40-year-old man was apparently poisoned by a business associate when, on several occasions, he unknowingly drank an alcoholic beverage containing the toxic substance. Delayed admission and recurrent thallium ingestion resulted in both acute and chronic symptoms being present concomitantly. Conventional treatment modalities (Prussian blue and forced diuresis) were employed. The patient survived, although neurological sequelae ensued. The problems encountered in diagnosis and treatment of this relatively uncommon entity are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alopecia / chemically induced
  • Ferrocyanides / therapeutic use
  • Heavy Metal Poisoning, Nervous System / diagnosis*
  • Heavy Metal Poisoning, Nervous System / therapy
  • Humans
  • Israel
  • Male
  • Nails / pathology
  • Thallium / poisoning*
  • Thallium / toxicity
  • Thallium / urine

Substances

  • Ferrocyanides
  • Thallium
  • ferric ferrocyanide