J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2013 Nov;52(6):463-467.

A Case of Delayed Encephalopathy of Carbon Monoxide Intoxication

• Park CH
• Joo SH
• Choi JW
• Park H

Abstract

Occurrence of carbon monoxide intoxication has decreased due to decline in use of coal briquettes (anthracite) in Korea. However, suicide attempt by use of a coal fire lighter (beon-gae-tan) has shown a rapid increase over the past five years with relevance to imitated suicide. Acute carbon monoxide intoxication is a dangerous problem affecting the brain, kidney, lung, and other major organs. Sometimes, delayed encephalopathy after carbon monoxide intoxication makes clinical psychiatric diagnosis and treatment puzzling because neuropsychiatric sequelae are ambiguous with premorbid psychiatric problems, such as mood disorder, psychotic disorder, or other substance dependence. We report on a case of delayed encephalopathy of carbon monoxide intoxication and discuss its diagnosis and management.

Keyword

Carbon monoxide; Encephalopathy; Suicide; Addiction; Briquette; Anthracite

MeSH Terms

Affective Disorders, Psychotic
Brain
Carbon Monoxide*
Carbon*
Coal
Diagnosis
Fires
Kidney
Korea
Lung
Mental Disorders
Substance-Related Disorders
Suicide
Carbon
Carbon Monoxide
Coal

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (T2W/FLAIR) Diffuse demyelination on the centrum semiovale in the white matter of both hemisphere (arrow).

• 

  Fig. 2 (T2W/FLAIR) High signal of central globus pallidus, which is the typical finding of acute carbon monoxide intoxication, is not found. Anatomical structure of basal ganglia is deformed with leukomalasia of surrounding white matter (arrow).

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