Thallium-Contaminated Heroin
Authors: F. Questel
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1996)

Letters15 March 1996Thallium-Contaminated HeroinF. Questel, MD, J. Dugarin, MD, and S. Dally, MDF. Questel, MDHopital Fernand-Widal; 75475 Paris; FranceSearch for more papers by this author, J. Dugarin, MDHopital Fernand-Widal; 75475 Paris; FranceSearch for more papers by this author, and S. Dally, MDHopital Fernand-Widal; 75475 Paris; FranceSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-124-6-199603150-00024 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:We report two cases of thallium intoxication by intravenous injection of contaminated heroin.A 42-year-old male heroin user with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome presented with a 15-day history of abdominal pain and alopecia. A search for thallium showed elevated blood (796 µg/L) and urine (5814 µg/L) thallium levels; within a few days, encephalopathy characterized by agitation and confusion ensued. On the eighth day, the patient's thallium levels were 443 µg/L in blood, 9180 µg/L in urine, and 20.4 µg/L in cerebral spinal fluid. His condition worsened with clouding of consciousness, fever, and respiratory distress. Bronchoalveolar lavage findings ...References1. Delille F, Ferraro G, Marionneau J, Simonin D, Lucas A, Haas C. Neuro-toxicite du thallium. A propos d'un cas d'intoxication aigue grave. Journal de Toxicologie Clinique et Experimentale. 1989; 9:419-21. Google Scholar2. Davies LE, Standefer JC, Kornfeld M, Abercrombie DM, Butler C. Acute thallium poisoning: toxicological and morphological studies of the nervous system. Ann Neurol. 1981; 10:38-44. Google Scholar3. Roby DS, Fein AM, Bennet RH, Morgan LS, Zatuchni J, Lippmann ML. Cardiopulmonary effects of acute thallium poisoning. Chest. 1984; 85:236-40. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: F. Questel, MD; J. Dugarin, MD; S. Dally, MDAffiliations: Hopital Fernand-Widal; 75475 Paris; France PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byThallium in rodenticide- banned or not..!!!- Two case reportsThallium NeurotoxicityДо обґрунтування переліку небезпечних високотоксичних хімічних речовин, які підлягають особливому контролю щодо обігу, зберігання, використання та утилізації. Частина 1 (рицин, сполуки талію та фосфорорганічні сполуки)To substantiation of the list of hazardous highly toxic chemicals that are subject to special control regarding handling, storage, use and disposal. Part 1 (ricin, thallium compounds and organophosphorus compounds)Thallium NeurotoxicityEvaluation of thallium levels in opioid substance users: A case–control studyOpium-Related Lead Toxicity: An Integrative Review and Case SeriesDetermination of thallium in urine, blood, and hair in illicit opioid users in IranExamining of Thallium in Cigarette SmokersThallium exists in opioid poisoned patientsExtracorporeal Treatment for Thallium PoisoningThallium poisoning: one additional and unexpected risk of heroin abuseThalliumAnesthésie du patient toxicomaneAnestesia del paciente toxicómanoAnestesia del paziente tossicodipendenteThallium intoxication caused by ingestion of a 60-year-old poisonChemical Terrorism Attacks: Update on AntidotesOpioidsHeavy Metal Poisoning: Clinical Presentations and PathophysiologyThallium Toxicity and the Role of Prussian Blue in TherapyThallium Poisoning in IsraelThallium Poisoning During Pregnancy: A Case Report and Comprehensive Literature ReviewComparative Efficacy of Thallium Adsorption by Activated Charcoal, Prussian Blue, and Sodium Polystyrene SulfonateDeath from heroin overdose: findings from hair analysisThe effects of opiates on the lungAbdominal Pain, Leg Weakness, and Alopecia in a Teenage Boy 15 March 1996Volume 124, Issue 6Page: 616KeywordsAbdominal painBloodBrain diseasesHeroinIntoxicationIntravenous injectionsNervesPeripheral neuropathyThalliumUrine ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 15 March 1996 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1996 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...