A Rare Case of Occupational Aniline Poisoning: Management in a Limited-Facility Setting

Year 2024, Volume: 15 Issue: 4, 96 - 99, 25.12.2024

Behnaz Niroomand , Ibrahim Mohammadzadeh , Mitra Rahimi , Mohsen Bijandi

https://doi.org/10.33706/jemcr.1506993

Abstract

Introduction
Cyanosis along with altered mental should bring all the possible ethiologies into her mind in a minimum of time, based on the trauma, medical, environmental, and occupational history of the patient. Poisoning with methemoglobinemia inducing agents is one of the most important differentials especially when a history of occupational exposure to these agents is present.
Case Report
The patient, a 41-year-old healthy woman and engineer, experienced symptoms after exposure to aniline leading to dizziness and weakness, prompting a visit to the emergency department with cyanosis and low oxygen saturation. Initial vital signs showed decreased oxygen levels and elevated respiratory rate with normal ABG values despite ongoing cyanosis. Patient required intubation, mechanical ventilation, and was diagnosed with ARDS based on chest X-ray findings. Management included IV diuretics, 100% oxygen, and antioxidant treatment in the ICU. Despite treatment, oxygen saturation remained at 88% on the first day.
Conclusion
This case is a reminder of the importance of taking occupational history and management of aniline toxicity in a setting where methylene blue, the drug of choice for aniline toxicity, is not available in the drug stock.

Keywords

aniline, aniline poisoning, occupational medicine, emergency medicine, toxicology

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval is not required since our patient's treatment was based on approved options, and it was not found to be controversial, according to the Ethics Committee of our institution (Iran National Committee for Ethics in Biomedical Research).

Supporting Institution

Not applicable.

Thanks

Not applicable.

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