Paraquat ingestion in an adult with cystic fibrosis (CF): Diagnostic and management dilemmas

We report the effects of an ingestion of paraquat by a 28  year old male with cystic fibrosis and the diagnostic and management challenges this posed in both the acute and longer term setting. AbstractN,N'-dimethyl-4,4'bipyridinium dichloride (Paraquat) is a potent herbicide used widely in agriculture. We report the effects of an ingestion of paraquat by a 28  year old male with cystic fibrosis and the diagnostic and management challenges this posed in both the acute and longer term setting. We describe the effects of direct paraquat toxicity on the lung tissue secondary to aspiration and review the long-term sequelae of paraquat, namely osteonecrosis. Our case is the first to describe osteonecrosis of the knee in the context of paraquat toxicity. Survival following ingestion remains poor with a high associated mortality. However, timely treatment with NAC and immunosuppression may impact on survival. In those patients who do survive the acute ph ase post ingestion, follow-up over years may be required to detect the long-term effects of paraquat on bone health.

Source: Respirology Case Reports - November 17, 2023 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Ieuan E. S. Evans, Shanal Kumar, Megan France, Daniel Smith, Philip Masel, George Tay, Daniel Henderson, Scott C. Bell, David Reid Tags: CASE REPORT Source Type: research