Antidote treatment for cyanide poisoning with hydroxocobalamin causes bright pink discolouration and chemical-analytical interferences.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_D957915C6196
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Publication sub-type
Case report (case report): feedback on an observation with a short commentary.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Antidote treatment for cyanide poisoning with hydroxocobalamin causes bright pink discolouration and chemical-analytical interferences.
Journal
Forensic Science International
Author(s)
Brunel C., Widmer C., Augsburger M., Dussy F., Fracasso T.
ISSN
1872-6283 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0379-0738
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2012
Volume
223
Number
1-3
Pages
e10-e12
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal ArticlePublication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Here we report the case of a 70-year-old woman who committed suicide by cyanide poisoning. During resuscitation cares, she underwent an antidote treatment by hydroxocobalamin. Postmortem investigations showed marked bright pink discolouration of organs and fluids, and a lethal cyanide blood concentration of 43 mg/L was detected by toxicological investigation. Discolouration of hypostasis and organs has widely been studied in forensic literature. In our case, we interpreted the unusual pink coloration as the result of the presence of hydroxocobalamin. This substance is a known antidote against cyanide poisoning, indicated because of its efficiency and poor adverse effects. However, its main drawback is to interfere with measurements of many routine biochemical parameters. We have tested the potential influence of this molecule in some routine postmortem investigations. The results are discussed.
Keywords
Cyanide poisoning, Hydroxocobalamin, Antidote, Hypostasis discolouration, Bright pink discolouration
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
22/03/2013 15:49
Last modification date
20/08/2019 16:58
Usage data