An unusual case of accidental poisoning: fatal methadone inhalation.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_DD0F6037C815
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
An unusual case of accidental poisoning: fatal methadone inhalation.
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences
Author(s)
Palmiere C., Brunel C., Sporkert F., Augsburger M.
ISSN
1556-4029 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0022-1198
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2011
Volume
56
Number
4
Pages
1072-1075
Language
english
Abstract
In this report, the authors present a case of unusual, accidental methadone intoxication in a 40-year-old man, who had inhaled methadone powder. The drug dealer was a pharmacy technician; methadone had been stolen from a pharmacy and sold as cocaine. After having inhaled methadone powder, he suffered cardiopulmonary arrest. He was admitted to hospital where he died after 24 h of intensive care. The autopsy revealed congestion of internal organs and cerebral and pulmonary edema. Microscopically, the heart showed no changes. The toxicological analyses performed on blood and urine taken at the hospital revealed methadone, cannabinoids, and ethanol. The blood methadone concentration was 290 μg/L. The urine methadone concentration was 160 μg/L. Midazolam and lidocaine, which were administered to the patient at the hospital, were also detected in the blood. The cause of death was determined to be methadone intoxication. The literature has been reviewed and discussed. To date, and to our knowledge, only very few cases of accidental death resulting from methadone inhalation have been described up to the case presented herein.
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
11/09/2011 13:40
Last modification date
20/08/2019 16:01
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