Background: Paraquat is a broad spectrum liquid herbicide, leading to severe and often fatal toxicity. Most cases of intoxication, especially in third-world countries are due to suicidal attempts rather than homicidal or accidental exposure, because of its widespread availability and relative low cost. Diagnosis is often difficult in the absence of proper history, nonspecific clinical features, and lack of diagnostic tests. Aim: To describe the variability in presentation, primary outcome from intentional poisoning and to review its impact on morbidity and mortality of poisoning. Method: We report a case series of eight patients with paraquat poisoning who presented predominantly with pain in throat and vomiting. Results: Out of eight cases six patients died despite intensive treatment. Most deaths occurred within in two weeks. Conclusion: Paraquat poison is highly lethal or deadly poison with very high mortality rate of around 70 to 80%.Also presentation may be variable and sometimes patient may present with mild symptoms with normal vitals or may remain asymptomatic for first few days. Although even in such cases morbidity and mortality of poison may be very high.
Thyrotoxicosis refers to the clinical manifestations associated with elevated serum levels of T 4 or T 3 in an individual. Dysphagia is a common problem but a rare manifestation of hyperthyroidism. Dysphagia is an uncommon manifestation of thyrotoxic myopathy. Reports have been sparse and its incidence is not clear. In our case report patient presented who with dysphagia and weight loss and investigation revealed hyperthyroidism. Patient dysphagia subsequently resolved after receiving treatment with methimazole and beta-blockers. This case report the need to include thyrotoxicosis in the differential diagnosis of an otherwise unexplained case of dysphagia.
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