Resolution of delayed altered mental status associated with hydrogen peroxide ingestion following hyperbaric oxygen therapy

An 82-year-old women presented with altered mental status, seizure, and apnea after an accidental ingestion of concentrated hydrogen peroxide. Ingestion of concentrated peroxide can result in gas embolism of the cerebral vasculature. After hyperbaric treatment, the patient had prompt and full neurol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Academic emergency medicine 2003-09, Vol.10 (9), p.998-1000
Main Authors: Vander Heide, Stuart J, Seamon, Jason P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Embolism, Air - chemically induced
Embolism, Air - diagnosis
Female
Humans
Hydrogen Peroxide - poisoning
Hyperbaric Oxygenation
Intracranial Embolism - chemically induced
Intracranial Embolism - diagnosis
Mental Disorders - chemically induced
Seizures - chemically induced
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Summary:An 82-year-old women presented with altered mental status, seizure, and apnea after an accidental ingestion of concentrated hydrogen peroxide. Ingestion of concentrated peroxide can result in gas embolism of the cerebral vasculature. After hyperbaric treatment, the patient had prompt and full neurologic recovery. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of reversal of significant altered mental status associated with hydrogen peroxide ingestion in temporal relation with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Emergency physicians need to be aware of the dangers of peroxide ingestion and may wish to consider hyperbaric oxygen as a potential additional treatment for severe cases.
ISSN:1069-6563
1553-2712
DOI:10.1111/j.1553-2712.2003.tb00658.x