Paraquat poisoning

Abstract

A fatal case of paraquat poisoning is described. Postmortem concentration of paraquat in different tissues reveals that treatment in this case could not prevent lethal tissue accumulation. Although accumulation was more pronounced in renal tissue, lung toxicity caused death. The formation of enormous fecaliths and the appearance of hypercalcemia are reported. Both were most likely connected with Füllers earth therapy. In spite of the fact that the exact nature of the equilibrium between plasma levels and tissue accumulation of paraquat (static or dynamic) is not understood, aggressive treatment must be recommended, even after the distribution phase and despite likely "fatal" plasma levels.