Department of Emergency-Medicine, Saint Elisabeth Clinic, Namur, Belgium.
Department of Emergency-Medicine, Lebanese University, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Mount Lebanon, Lebanon.
J Med Case Rep. 2024 Aug 30;18(1):410. doi: 10.1186/s13256-024-04697-8.
Ricin intoxication is a serious condition with symptoms ranging from mild gastroenteritis to fatal outcomes due to shock and multi-organ failure. Intoxication from the ingestion of castor seeds is uncommon. However, its diagnosis is crucial, particularly with a clear history of exposure to castor seeds, regardless of the route of exposure (enteral or parenteral). Prompt diagnosis is essential to monitor and manage the patient effectively and to prevent potentially fatal outcomes. We report a case where ingestion of castor seeds resulted in gastroenteritis severe enough to necessitate emergency medical care.
We present the case of a 47-year-old Belgian woman of Moroccan descent, previously healthy who was admitted to the emergency department with symptoms of colicky abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting following the ingestion of six castor beans. The patient was diagnosed with ricin intoxication, admitted for observation, and received symptomatic treatment. She was discharged home after a complete recovery three days later.
Our report underscores the clinical manifestations, hemodynamic changes, laboratory findings, and treatment of intoxication due to castor seed ingestion. It contributes to the limited literature on castor seed poisoning in humans, with a specific focus on cases in Belgium. This report aims to raise awareness among clinicians about this condition and emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive history-taking to prevent misdiagnosis and malpractice.
蓖麻毒素中毒是一种严重的疾病，症状从轻度肠胃炎到因休克和多器官衰竭而导致的致命后果不等。因摄入蓖麻子而中毒并不常见。然而，其诊断至关重要，特别是对于有明确接触蓖麻子史的患者，无论暴露途径（肠内或肠外）如何。及时诊断对于有效监测和管理患者以及预防潜在的致命后果至关重要。我们报告了一例因摄入蓖麻子而导致肠胃炎严重到需要紧急医疗救治的病例。
我们报告了一例 47 岁的摩洛哥裔比利时妇女，此前身体健康，因摄入六颗蓖麻子后出现绞痛性腹痛、腹泻和呕吐而被收入急诊科。该患者被诊断为蓖麻毒素中毒，接受了观察和对症治疗。三天后完全康复后出院回家。
我们的报告强调了摄入蓖麻子导致中毒的临床表现、血液动力学变化、实验室结果和治疗。它补充了关于人类蓖麻子中毒的有限文献，特别关注了比利时的病例。本报告旨在提高临床医生对这种疾病的认识，并强调全面询问病史以防止误诊和医疗事故的重要性。
