Clinical and Pathological Findings on Intoxication by Yellow Phosphorus After Ingesting Firework Cracker: A Rare Case of Autopsy

ŞAMDANCI E., Cakir E., Sahin N., Elmali C., Sayin S.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, cilt.32, sa.1, ss.51-53, 2016 (ESCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 32 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2016
  • Doi Numarası: 10.5146/tjpath.2013.01196
  • Dergi Adı: TURKISH JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.51-53
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Phosphorus, Hepatic failure, Fatty liver, Autopsy, ACUTE LIVER-FAILURE, BURNS
  • İnönü Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Yellow phosphorus is a toxic substance used in the production of firework cracker, fireworks, ammunition and agricultural dung. When ingested, it shows its effects mainly in the liver, the kidneys, and the brain. A four-year-old girl had died as a result of acute hepatic failure caused by ingesting a firework cracker. The case showed high levels of hepatic enzymes, along with non-specific signs such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Autopsy revealed diffuse microvesicular steatosis in the liver and disseminated degeneration in the proximal tubules of the kidneys. In cases with concomitant hepatorenal failure and cardiovascular collapse, death is inevitable. However, when only hepatic failure develops, hepatic transplantation may be lifesaving. Although intoxication from ingesting yellow phosphorus has a very high rate of mortality, forensic cases are extremely rare in the literature.