J Korean Med Sci.  2013 Nov;28(11):1687-1689. 10.3346/jkms.2013.28.11.1687.

Glufosinate Herbicide Intoxication Causing Unconsciousness, Convulsion, and 6th Cranial Nerve Palsy

• Park JS
• Kwak SJ
• Gil HW
• Kim SY
• Hong SY

• KMID: 1777671
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2013.28.11.1687

Abstract

Although glufosinate ammonium herbicides are considered safe when used properly, ingestion of the undiluted form can cause grave outcomes. Recently, we treated a 34-yr-old man who ingested glufosinate ammonium herbicide. In the course of treatment, the patient developed apnea, mental deterioration, and sixth cranial nerve palsy; he has since been discharged with full recovery after intensive care. This case report describes the clinical features of glufosinate intoxication with a focus on sixth cranial nerve palsy. Our observation suggests that neurologic manifestations after ingestion of a "low-grade toxicity herbicide" are variable and more complex than that was previously considered.

Keyword

Glufosinate Ammonium; Neurologic Manifestations; Abducens Nerve Disease

MeSH Terms

Abducens Nerve Diseases/*chemically induced/drug therapy
Adult
Aminobutyrates/*poisoning
Enzyme Inhibitors/poisoning
Herbicides/*poisoning
Humans
Male
Seizures/chemically induced
Surface-Active Agents/poisoning
Unconsciousness/chemically induced
Aminobutyrates
Enzyme Inhibitors
Herbicides
Surface-Active Agents

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Summary of the clinical course of the patient and treatment.

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  Fig. 2 Sequential measurement of Lancaster red-green test on 6th (A), 7th (B), and 11th (C) day. Note the incomitant uncrossed diplopia at 9 different positions of gaze and the increased deviation at the right and left gaze suggesting sixth cranial nerve palsy; improvement was observed during subsequent follow-up examinations.

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