Paraquat Poisoning by Injection: 3 autopsy cases.

Kim, Youn Shin; Lee, Ho; Jung, Yu Kyoung; Chung, Ik Jo; Han, Back Hee

Case Report

Korean Journal of Legal Medicine 2000;24(1):87-91.
Published online May 31, 2000.

Paraquat Poisoning by Injection: 3 autopsy cases.

Youn Shin Kim, Ho Lee, Yu Kyoung Jung, Ik Jo Chung, Back Hee Han

¹Department of Forensic Medicine, National Institute of Scientific Investigation. Western District Office, Korea.
²Department of Physics,National Institute of Scientific Investigation. Western District Office, Korea.
³Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Scientific Investigation. Western District Office, Korea.

Abstract

Paraquat is a bipyridilium nonselective contact herbicide and well-known pulmonary toxicants. Concentrated solution of paraquat may causes severe corrosive injury and multiple system organ failure. It is poorly absorbed from GI tract, but is extremely toxic and so one swallowed mouthful of Gramoxone(about 5ml) will be fatal. We experienced 3 cases of paraquat poisoning through injection and examined pathologic findings, medical records and concentration of paraquat in blood and tissues. We reviewed the mechanism of action of paraquat, pathologic changes of organ system, concentration of compound in the various organ and cause of death in autopsy cases.

Key Words: Paraquat, Gramoxone, Injection, Autopsy