Socially, the patient was described by his family as a loner, withdrawn, and depressed. The ingestion occurred at his girlfriend s house after an argument. Camphor is the most immediate systemic hazard. It is a cyclic ketone of the hydroaromatic terpene group, with a penetrating characteristic odor and a pungent, aromatic taste. Our patient was intubated for 12 hours and no camphoric odor was noticed before, during, or after intubation.
Phenol is also harmful.
Seizures can occur suddenly within 5 to 20 minutes of ingestion, and most patients are out of trouble 90 to 120 minutes after ingestion. Our patient did not require specific treatment for seizures. However, phenobarbital may be given for refractory seizures if use of benzodiazepines or phenytoin does not suffice. Also, lipid dialysis and resin hemoperfusion can help reduce refractory seizures.6,10 Gastrointestinal manifestations occur with Campho-Phenique intoxication. Both camphor and phenol may cause epigastric burning, nausea, and vomiting.