Potassium permanganate toxicity: A rare case with difficult airway management and hepatic damage

Abstract

Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) is rarely used for suicidal attempt. Its ingestion can lead to local as well as systemic toxicities due to coagulation necrosis and damage, caused by free radicals of permanganate. We recently managed a case of suicidal ingestion of KMnO4 in a lethal dose. She had significant narrowing of upper airway leading to difficult intubation as well as hepatic dysfunction and coagulopathy as systemic manifestation. We suggest to keep ourselves ready to handle difficult airway with the aid of fiber optic bronchoscope or surgical airway management in such patients. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy should be done at the earliest to determine the extent of upper GI injury and further nutrition planning.

The Sealing Step in Aluminum Anodizing: A Focus on Sustainable Strategies for Enhancing Both Energy Efficiency and Corrosion Resistance

“…Deichmann and Gerarde [452] reported that potassium permanganate has a probable lethal adult dose of about 10 g. A recent EU substance evaluation document for Potassium permanganate [453] reported oral acute toxicity (LD 50 ) value of 1090 to > 2000 mg/kg of body weight and dermal acute toxicity (LD 50 ) value > 2000 mg/kg of body weight for potassium permanganate. Inadvertent poisoning from potassium permanganate is considered a rare occurrence [454][455][456][457][458]. In spite of its low toxicity, its very high oxidation power enables it to oxidize organic compounds [459][460][461] and eliminate taste and odor in water treatment by oxidizing both inorganic and organic materials that are responsible for taste and odor [462][463][464][465][466][467][468][469][470][471] might make permanganate unsuitable for sealing anodized aluminum products that need to be coated with organic primers and/or coatings after sealing.…”

Ethnopharmacological use of potassium permanganate in South African traditional medicine

“…[2] KMnO 4 is a powerful oxidising agent and is commonly used medicinally as a topical antiseptic agent. [3,4] Nonetheless, overthe-counter availability of KMnO 4 may contribute to its potentially harmful properties being overlooked. For example, ingestion of KMnO 4 may result in widespread systemic toxicity that can cause major morbidity and even mortality.…”

Ocular Injury due to Potassium Permanganate Granules

“…Like other reactive agents, the chemical properties of KMnO 4 make it toxic to human tissue when it comes into contact with skin or mucous membrane. Tissue affected by KMnO 4 would be burned and brownish-colored [ 3 ]. The severity of injury varies according to the route and organ of injury, the amount and concentration of KMnO 4 , and the duration of tissue-chemical agent contact.…”

“…Although widespread household use of KMnO 4 has decreased in popularity over the years, the common use of KMnO 4 at home continues in some countries. Previous articles described KMnO 4 toxicity to the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes [ 3 , 4 ]. Most reported KMnO 4 injuries were caused by contact with different concentrations of KMnO 4 solution.…”