Thallium toxicity: Difference between revisions

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==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
*Acute:
===Acute===
**12 hours: Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shock
*12 hours: [[Abdominal pain]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[diarrhea]], [[shock]]
**2-3 days: delirium, respiratory failure, seizures, death
*2-3 days: [[delirium]], [[respiratory failure]], [[seizures]], [[death]]
*Chronic:
 
**2-4 weeks: peripheral neuropathy, chorea, stomatitis, hair loss
===Chronic===
*2-4 weeks: [[peripheral neuropathy]], [[chorea]], [[stomatitis]], hair loss
 
==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Heavy metals list}}


==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==
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==Management==
==Management==
*Prussian blue is mainstay of therapy in Europe
*Prussian blue is mainstay of therapy
**Crystal lattice structure binds thallium ions, preventing enterohepatic recycling
**Crystal lattice structure binds thallium ions, preventing enterohepatic recycling
*Activated charcoal binds thallium in vitro
*[[Activated charcoal]] binds thallium in vitro
*Ipecac can be given in the prehospital setting if given within first few minutes of exposure
 
==Disposition==
 
 
==See Also==
*[[Heavy metal toxicity]]


==References==
==References==
Olson, K. Poisoning and Drug Overdose Clinical Manual. 2004
<references/>
 
[[Category:Toxicology]]

Latest revision as of 09:22, 23 October 2017

Background

  • Soft metal used in jewelry and semiconductors
  • No longer used as a rodenticide in the US
  • Quickly oxidizes with exposure to air

Mechanism of Toxicity

  • Unknown: seems to affect various enzyme systems
  • Lethal dose 12-15 mg/kg

Clinical Features

Acute

Chronic

Differential Diagnosis

Evaluation

  • Urine thallium concentration >20mcg/L indicates toxicity
  • Blood levels are not considered reliable except in large exposures
  • Plain films may be useful in acute ingestion because thallium is radiopaque

Management

  • Prussian blue is mainstay of therapy
    • Crystal lattice structure binds thallium ions, preventing enterohepatic recycling
  • Activated charcoal binds thallium in vitro

Disposition

See Also

References