Short-term Thallium Intoxication

Lu, Ching-I; Huang, Chin‐Chang; Chang, Ya‐Ching; Tsai, Yu-Tai; Kuo, Hung‐Chou; Chuang, Ya-Hui; Shih, Tung‐Sheng

doi:10.1001/archderm.143.1.93

Cited by 39 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Skin biopsies taken from patients with alopecia and other symptoms of thallium poisoning revealed atrophic and necrotic changes of the skin such as parakeratosis, dilated hair follicles fi lled with keratin and necrotic sebaceous materials, mild epidermal atrophy, and vacuolar degeneration of the basal layer (49)(50)(51)(52).…”

Section: Human Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thallium Toxicity in Humans

Cvjetko

Pavlica

2010

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

171

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Thallium is a naturally occurring trace element, widely distributed in the earth's crust, but at very low concentrations. It does not have a known biological use and does not appear to be an essential element for life. It has been considered one of the most toxic heavy metals. Occasionally, there are reports on thallium poisoning as results of suicide or murder attempt or accident. The main threat to humans is through occupational exposure, environmental contamination, and accumulation in food, mainly in vegetables grown on contaminated soil. Increasing use in emerging new technologies and demanding high-tech industry constantly raise concern about exposure risk to all living organisms. Thallium is considered a cumulative poison that can cause adverse health effects and degenerative changes in many organs. The effects are the most severe in the nervous system. The exact mechanism of thallium toxicity still remains unknown, although impaired glutathione metabolism, oxidative stress, and disruption of potassium-regulated homeostasis may play a role. The lack of data about mutagenic, carcinogenic, or teratogenic effects of thallium compounds in humans calls for further research.

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Section: Human Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thallium Toxicity in Humans

Cvjetko

Pavlica

2010

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

171

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“…Each patient presented with common symptoms of thallium poisoning, including gastroenteritis, polyneuropathy and dermatological changes, as reported previously [1,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14]. Recently, both industrial and intentional thallium poisoning have become relatively rare due to the strict regulation of thallium utilization.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

“…Cutaneous signs of thallium poisoning, such as scaling of the palms/soles and acneiform lesions of the face, are also nonspecific [1, 6, 9, 11, 12]. Alopecia and Mees’ lines are the most characteristic features, but represent subacute manifestations since they occur at least 2–3 weeks after symptom onset or even later [1, 6, 9, 11, 12]. Neurological symptoms such as paresthesia and allodynia are acute manifestations and not consistent with typical polyneuropathy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical Manifestations and Management of Acute Thallium Poisoning

Zhao¹,

Ding²,

Zhang³

et al. 2008

Eur Neurol

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Clinical information regarding 3 patients diagnosed with acute thallium poisoning was collected and retrospectively analyzed. All 3 patients presented with severe burning pain in the lower limbs and the abdomen. Diffuse alopecia, hepatic dysfunction and Mees’ lines in the digits of each limb were observed between 2 and 3 weeks after onset. A physical examination demonstrated paresthesia of all 4 limbs, but normal deep tendon reflexes. Blood and urine thallium concentrations were significantly elevated. Treatment was initiated using hemoperfusion, hemodialysis, potassium supplementation, oral laxatives and B complex supplementation. Clinical symptoms improved as blood and urine thallium concentrations decreased, although a residual sensory neuropathy remained. This study demonstrated that the primary clinical manifestations of acute thallium poisoning include gastrointestinal symptoms, polyneuropathy and dermatological changes. Hemoperfusion and hemodialysis may be effective treatments for acute thallium poisoning.

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“…4 Short-term exposure to thallium may induce hair loss, skin lesions, and damage to the nervous system. 4,[11][12][13][14] The clinical features of short-term thallium intoxication include gastrointestinal symptoms of nausea, vomiting, stomatitis, and diarrhea, followed by severe painful dysesthesia and paraesthesia in the distal limbs, erythematous rashes in the cheeks and perioral region, and hyperkeratosis with loss of hair in sub acute stage. 2,3 In the long-term, complete hair loss and severe polyneuropathy have been noted.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Oral zinc sulphate in treatment of patients with thallium poisoning: A clinical therapeutic trial

Sharquie¹,

Al-Hamdi²,

Noaimi³

et al. 2011

J Clin Exp Invest

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ÖZETAmaç: Talyum zehirlenmesi genellikle çinko eksikliğini taklit eden tipik cilt lezyonları ile birliktedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı talyum zehirlenmesi bulunan hastaların tedavisinde oral çinko sülfatın rolünü değerlendirmektir. A detailed history was taken from all patients and complete clinical examination was performed. All patients received zinc sulphate in a dose of 5 mg/kg three times a day few days before confirming the diagnosis of thallium poisoning. Thallium in urine had been measured using the colorimetric method and was positive in all patients. After confirming the diagnosis of thallium poisoning, thallium antidotes Prussian blue was given to 32 patients. Gereç ve yöntem:Results: Age range of 37 patients was 5-33 (24±5.3) years. The dermatological findings were mainly: anagen hair loss affected the scalp and limbs. Also, dusky ecchymotic red dermatitis like rash was observed on the face and dorsum of hands and legs, while neurological manifestations were mainly of peripheral neuropathy, were reported in 21 (55%) patients. All patients but two responded promptly to a trial of zinc sulphate within few days. Conclusion:Oral Zinc sulphate appears to be an effective and safe treatment for thallium poisoning particularly for skin and hair features and in reducing its lethal progression and complications. J Clin Exp Invest 2011;2(2):133-7

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Short-term Thallium Intoxication

Cited by 39 publications

References 18 publications

Thallium Toxicity in Humans

Thallium Toxicity in Humans

Clinical Manifestations and Management of Acute Thallium Poisoning

Oral zinc sulphate in treatment of patients with thallium poisoning: A clinical therapeutic trial

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