Severe cyanide poisoning from the ingestion of an acetonitrile-containing cosmetic. 1991

S G Turchen, and A S Manoguerra, and C Whitney
San Diego Regional Poison Center, University of California San Diego Medical Center 92103.

A 39-year-old woman ingested 59 mL of Super Nail Nail Off (American International Industries, Hollywood, CA) (containing 99% acetonitrile) in a suicide attempt. Following a latent period of approximately 12 hours, the patient developed cyanide poisoning with severe metabolic acidosis, seizures, and shallow respirations. She responded to the administration of sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate, although the administration of nitrite produced bradycardia and hypotension. She developed several relapses over the course of her hospitalization and each time responded to sodium thiosulfate administration. The patient developed hypernatremia from the sodium load given to her; hemodialysis and charcoal hemoperfusion were initiated to correct the hypernatremia and to attempt to remove cyanide, thiocyanate, and acetonitrile. On the fifth hospital day, the patient was fully recovered and was discharged.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009262 Nails The thin, horny plates that cover the dorsal surfaces of the distal phalanges of the fingers and toes of primates. Fingernails,Toenails,Fingernail,Nail,Toenail
D011041 Poisoning A condition or physical state produced by the ingestion, injection, inhalation of or exposure to a deleterious agent. Poisonings
D003358 Cosmetics Substances intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the body's structure or functions. Included in this definition are skin creams, lotions, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail polishes, eye and facial makeup preparations, permanent waves, hair colors, toothpastes, and deodorants, as well as any material intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product. (U.S. Food & Drug Administration Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition Office of Cosmetics Fact Sheet (web page) Feb 1995) Personal Care Products,Care Product, Personal,Care Products, Personal,Personal Care Product,Product, Personal Care,Products, Personal Care
D003486 Cyanides Inorganic salts of HYDROGEN CYANIDE containing the -CN radical. The concept also includes isocyanides. It is distinguished from NITRILES, which denotes organic compounds containing the -CN radical. Cyanide,Isocyanide,Isocyanides
D005260 Female Females
D006435 Renal Dialysis Therapy for the insufficient cleansing of the BLOOD by the kidneys based on dialysis and including hemodialysis, PERITONEAL DIALYSIS, and HEMODIAFILTRATION. Dialysis, Extracorporeal,Dialysis, Renal,Extracorporeal Dialysis,Hemodialysis,Dialyses, Extracorporeal,Dialyses, Renal,Extracorporeal Dialyses,Hemodialyses,Renal Dialyses
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000097 Acetonitriles Compounds in which a methyl group is attached to the cyano moiety. Cyanomethane,Cyanomethanes,Ethane Nitriles,Methyl Cyanide,Methyl Cyanides,Cyanide, Methyl,Cyanides, Methyl,Nitriles, Ethane
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000931 Antidotes Agents counteracting or neutralizing the action of POISONS. Antidote,Theriacs

Related Publications

S G Turchen, and A S Manoguerra, and C Whitney
December 1988, JAMA,
S G Turchen, and A S Manoguerra, and C Whitney
May 1997, Postgraduate medical journal,
S G Turchen, and A S Manoguerra, and C Whitney
January 1990, Postgraduate medical journal,
S G Turchen, and A S Manoguerra, and C Whitney
July 1983, Annals of emergency medicine,
S G Turchen, and A S Manoguerra, and C Whitney
August 1991, Pediatrics,
S G Turchen, and A S Manoguerra, and C Whitney
May 1991, The American journal of emergency medicine,
S G Turchen, and A S Manoguerra, and C Whitney
January 2011, Intensive care medicine,
S G Turchen, and A S Manoguerra, and C Whitney
June 2007, The American journal of emergency medicine,
S G Turchen, and A S Manoguerra, and C Whitney
January 2016, Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.),
S G Turchen, and A S Manoguerra, and C Whitney
August 1986, Pediatrics,
Copied contents to your clipboard!