Korean J Leg Med.  2014 Feb;38(1):26-29. 10.7580/kjlm.2014.38.1.26.

Death by Hemorrhagic Enteritis due to Suspicious Mushroom Poisoning: A Case Report

• Choi M
• Kim SH
• Choi BH
• Park S

• KMID: 2305461
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2014.38.1.26

Abstract

Mushroom poisoning widely reported in Oriental and Western literature, is typically caused by accidental ingestion of toxic mushrooms that resemble edible mushrooms. Reports about poisoning due to species of Omphalotus, Amanita, Clitocybe, and other toxic mushroom species have been reported; toxicity depends on the mushroom species and the amount of toxin, which varies according to the climatic and environmental conditions. Symptoms of poisoning, such as unspecific nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as intestinal, hepatic and renal toxicities, also vary according to the mushroom species. Most patients recover with anti-muscarinic therapy and supportive care for nonspecific symptoms; however some cases of poisoning are fatal in children and elderly people. We report a case of sudden death due to mushroom poisoning in a 74-year-old woman, with hemorrhagic enteritis.

Keyword

Unexpected death; Hemorrhagic enteritis; Poisoning

MeSH Terms

Agaricales*
Aged
Amanita
Child
Death, Sudden
Diarrhea
Eating
Enteritis*
Female
Humans
Mushroom Poisoning*
Nausea
Poisoning
Vomiting

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Dark-brown colored small and large intestine with enlarged lymph nodes are seen.

• 

  Fig. 2. The esophagus and stomach are sparing hemorrhagic changes.

• 

  Fig. 3. The intestinal lumen shows hemorrhagic enteritis.

• 

  Fig. 4. The liver and kidney show no pathologic findings.

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