Unusual case of double acute intoxication with tamoxifen complicated by miscarriage

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Background: A 24-year-old female had attempted suicide twice, at the age of 20 and 24, using tamoxifen.</jats:p><jats:p>Case report: Subsequent to the first acute intoxication a development of bilateral ovarian cysts was observed. Cysts regressed spontaneously within 8 weeks. Five weeks after the second suicidal attempt, pregnant patient (15 weeks of gestation) was admitted to the hospital with vaginal bleeding and suspicion of miscarriage. The autopsy of the fetus did not reveal any gross abnormalities, whereas the microscopic examination demonstrated numerous foci of necrosis in the placental decidua. Other fetal membranes as well as the umbilical cord were normal.</jats:p><jats:p>Conclusions:1.Acute intoxication with tamoxifen may be connected with the formation of follicular ovarian cysts.2.During pregnancy, intoxication with tamoxifen, may result in delayed miscarriage. </jats:p>