Case based review: Toxicology on the acute medical unit

Abstract

Accidental and intentional poisoning from prescribed, illicit and organic substances remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and accounts for just under 1% of the total number of NHS hospital admissions, or around 170,000, a year in the UK1. A knowledge of the constellation of signs and symptoms that constitute specific poisonings (referred to as toxidromes) may enable early empirical decontamination, antidote administration, enhanced elimination and supportive care, and may also help to predict the clinical course. This paper presents a series of clinical vignettes to demonstrate emerging presentations in toxicology to help inform the practice of Acute Physicians, who alongside colleagues in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, are at the front line of diagnosing and treating poisoned patients.