A case of Systemic Toxicity that Occurred in an Adult Who Intentionally Ingested Rhododendron Sclippenbashii

의도적으로 철쭉 섭취 후 발생된 성인 전신 중독 증상 1례

  • Jeong, Sang-Min (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University) ;
  • Lee, Seung-Han (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University) ;
  • Lim, Jeong-Soo (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University) ;
  • Yoon, Sang-Yeol (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University) ;
  • Ryu, Seung (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University) ;
  • Lee, Jin-Woong (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University) ;
  • Kim, Seung-Whan (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University) ;
  • Yoo, In-Sool (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University) ;
  • You, Yeon-Ho (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University)
  • 정상민 (충남대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 이승한 (충남대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 임정수 (충남대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 윤상열 (충남대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 유승 (충남대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 이진웅 (충남대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 김승환 (충남대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 유인술 (충남대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 유연호 (충남대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실)
  • Published : 2009.12.31

Abstract

It is well known that Rhododendron sclippenbashii contains the toxic material grayanotoxin. So, Koreans do not eat it, but they do eat azalea although it contains grayanotoxin. That is why there have been no reports about Rhododendron sclippenbashii intoxication after ingesting it intentionally, not accidentally. In this case, the patient was admitted to the emergency room with several toxic symptoms after intentionally consuming 50 blossoms of Rhododendron sclippenbashii to get rid of thirst. Treatment with saline infusion and atropine was successful and the outcome was favorable enough in this case to produce a complete cure without any sequelae at discharge. But toxic symptoms were seen for 24 hours, although the symptoms usually fade in 9 hours. Therefore, we should carefully treat and observe, for over 24 hours, the patient who intentionally ingests about 50 blossoms of Rhododendron sclippenbashii.

Keywords