Multiple Dose-Activated Charcoal as a Cause of Acute Appendicitis

Abstract

We presented a case of a 55-year-old woman who intentionally ingested an unknown amount of carbosulfan, a carbamate insecticide. On admission, her clinical findings were coma, pinpoint pupils, hypersalivation, respiratory failure, bradycardia, and hypotension. Her trachea was intubated after suction of secretions, and atropine was administered intravenously. After gastric lavage, multiple doses of activated charcoal were instilled through the nasogastric tube over five days (total doses of 840 g). On the fourteenth day, she developed right-lower quadrant abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting, and she underwent an appendectomy. On pathologic examination of the specimen, particles of activated charcoal were seen within the dilated part of the appendiculer lumen. The patient was discharged from the hospital after antidepressant therapy at the psychiatry clinic. This case documents that multiple doses of activated charcoal may be associated with acute appendicitis.

Keywords :

• Carbosulfan
• Intoxication
• Activated charcoal
• Acute appendicitis