Peters Anna-Linda, Dekker Eline, Michels Wieneke M
Academisch Medisch Centrum Amsterdam, afd. Interne Geneeskunde, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2011;155(39):A3676.
Camphor is a toxic hydrocarbon, found in numerous over-the-counter medicinal products and chemist-shop items. The consequences of camphor poisoning depend on the dose, and severe poisoning can result in death. Ingestion of camphor can cause seizures, apnoea, renal insufficiency, raised hepatic enzyme levels, and vomiting resulting in chemical pneumonitis due to aspiration.
We present the case of a 34-year-old female patient from the Dominican Republic who was brought into our accident and emergency department following the ingestion of camphor mothballs for persisting headaches. She was unconscious (Glasgow coma score: 3) and had severe acidosis (pH 6.59), respiratory insufficiency, electrolyte imbalance and raised hepatic enzyme and amylase levels. She was admitted to the intensive care unit and recovered quickly. Five days later, she was transferred to a general ward, where it became apparent that she was suffering from severe memory loss. After eight days she was discharged in good clinical condition, although she still suffered some memory loss.
Many every-day products contain camphor. Poisoning can lead to an acute clinical picture, and immediate intensive care department treatment is obligatory. As there is no antidote available, supportive care is the only available option when poisoning occurs.
樟脑是一种有毒碳氢化合物，存在于众多非处方药品和药店商品中。樟脑中毒的后果取决于剂量，严重中毒可导致死亡。摄入樟脑可引发癫痫、呼吸暂停、肾功能不全、肝酶水平升高以及因呕吐物误吸导致的化学性肺炎。
我们报告一例来自多米尼加共和国的34岁女性患者，因持续头痛摄入樟脑丸后被送至我院急诊科。她昏迷（格拉斯哥昏迷评分：3分），伴有严重酸中毒（pH 6.59）、呼吸功能不全、电解质失衡以及肝酶和淀粉酶水平升高。她被收入重症监护病房并迅速康复。五天后，她被转至普通病房，此时发现她患有严重的记忆丧失。八天后，她临床状况良好出院，尽管仍有一些记忆丧失。
许多日常用品含有樟脑。中毒可导致急性临床表现，必须立即在重症监护病房进行治疗。由于没有解毒剂，中毒发生时支持性治疗是唯一可用的选择。
