Potassium permanganate toxicity: A rare case with difficult airway management and hepatic damage

JOURNAL TITLE: Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine

Author
1. Vijay Kumar Agrawal
2. Parul Mahajan
3. Bhanwar Lal Kumawat
4. Ranjeet Kumar
ISSN
0972-5229
DOI
10.4103/0972-5229.146318
Volume
18
Issue
12
Publishing Year
2014
Pages
3
Author Affiliations
    1. Sishu Arogya Kendra, Boring Road, Patna
    1. Department of Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonology, Metro Heart Institute with Multispeciality, Sector 16A, Faridabad, Haryana, India
    1. Department of Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonology, Metro Heart Institute with Multispeciality, Sector 16A, Faridabad, Haryana, India
    1. Department of Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonology, Metro Heart Institute with Multispeciality, Sector 16A, Faridabad, Haryana, India
  • Article keywords
    Coagulopathy, difficult airway, emergency endoscopy, hepatic dysfunction, potassium permanganate

    Abstract

    Potassium permanganate (KMnO 4) is rarely used for suicidal attempt. Its ingestion can lead to local as well as systemic toxicities due to coagulation necrosis and damage, caused by free radicals of permanganate. We recently managed a case of suicidal ingestion of KMnO 4 in a lethal dose. She had significant narrowing of upper airway leading to difficult intubation as well as hepatic dysfunction and coagulopathy as systemic manifestation. We suggest to keep ourselves ready to handle difficult airway with the aid of fiber optic bronchoscope or surgical airway management in such patients. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy should be done at the earliest to determine the extent of upper GI injury and further nutrition planning.

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