Lessons from a suicide attempt by intra-abdominal ricin injection

Ayana Dvir, MD, MHA; Zahi Dagan, MD, MHA; Avi Mizrachi, MD; Arik Eisenkraft, MD, MHA

doi:10.5055/ajdm.2021.0389

Authors

Ayana Dvir, MD, MHA
Zahi Dagan, MD, MHA
Avi Mizrachi, MD
Arik Eisenkraft, MD, MHA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9368-3490

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2021.0389

Keywords:

ricin, Ricinus communis, suicide attempt, multiorgan-failure, shock, ARDS

Abstract

A 19-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department 7 hours after a suicide attempt with an intra-abdominal injection of self-prepared ricin solution. In the following 6 days, she has developed multiorgan-failure, and despite all intensive care interventions—including plasma exchange, high-frequency ventilation, and continuous renal replacement therapy—she passed away. We describe in detail the chain of events and discuss shortly the known literature about this rare poisoning.

Author Biographies

Ayana Dvir, MD, MHA

Intensive Care Unit, Shamir Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel

Zahi Dagan, MD, MHA

Pediatric Department, Shamir Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel

Avi Mizrachi, MD

Intensive Care Unit, Shamir Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel

Arik Eisenkraft, MD, MHA

The Institute for Research in Military Medicine, The Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the IDF Medical Corps, Jerusalem, Israel

References

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Worbs S, Köhler K, Pauly D, et al.: Ricinus communis intoxications in human and veterinary medicine—A summary of real cases. Toxins (Basel). 2011; 3(10): 1332-1372.

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Lessons from a suicide attempt by intra-abdominal ricin injection

Authors

DOI:

Keywords:

Abstract

Author Biographies

Ayana Dvir, MD, MHA

Zahi Dagan, MD, MHA

Avi Mizrachi, MD

Arik Eisenkraft, MD, MHA

References

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