Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology (대한임상독성학회지)

Korean society of Clincal Toxicology (대한임상독성학회)
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Two Cases of Comatose Patients Presenting after Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide Gas

황화수소가스에 노출된 후 혼수로 내원한 환자 2례

  • Ryu, Hyun-Ho (Department of Emergency Medicine, Chonnam National University, School of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Byeong-Guk (Department of Emergency Medicine, Chonnam National University, School of Medicine) ;
  • Jeung, Kyung-Woon (Department of Emergency Medicine, Chonnam National University, School of Medicine) ;
  • Heo, Tag (Department of Emergency Medicine, Chonnam National University, School of Medicine) ;
  • Min, Yong-Il (Department of Emergency Medicine, Chonnam National University, School of Medicine)
  • 류현호 (전남대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 이병국 (전남대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 정경운 (전남대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 허탁 (전남대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 민용일 (전남대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실)
  • Published : 2009.06.12
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Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide is a by-product of decayed organic material and is ubiquitously found as an ingredient of manufacturing reagents or as an undesirable by-product of the manufacturing or industrial processing. Hydrogen sulfide is a chemical asphyxiant and interferes with cytochrome oxidase and aerobic metabolism. It has thus been deemed an important cause of work-related sudden death. This gas is particularly insidious due to the unpredictability of its presence and concentration and its neurotoxicity at relatively low concentrations, causing olfactory nerve paralysis and loss of the warning odor. Here, we report two cases of comatose patients presenting after accidental exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas.

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