LACK OF CLINICAL SYMPTOMS IN AN ACUTE ARSENIC POISONING - AN UNUSUAL CASE

A 32-y-old woman was admitted to Granada University Hospital for attem pted suicide by ingestion of an ant killer containing 10% sodium arsen ate and 5% pyrethrins. Neither gastrointestinal distress nor hepatic, renal, or neurologic disturbances were clinically observed. However, t he presence of toxic levels of arsenic (14 mg/L) was confirmed by atom ic absorption spectrophotometry in a sample of urine taken about. 12 h after poisoning. An uneventful clinical course was observed, and the patient was discharged after 6 days upon her request. Long-term follow -up was unavailable. From a Medline search over the years 1985-1998 on ly one similar report also dealing with sodium arsenate was found. Dif ferent pathogenic hypotheses are discussed in the light of the clinica l data.