J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  1998 Jun;9(2):323-329.

CLINICAL ANALYSIS OF THE MUSHROOM POISONING

• Yoo BD
• Ahn YH
• Choi WI
• Cho J
• Park CS
• Lee DP

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mushroom poisonings are infrequent but potentially fatal. Most fatalities are due to the amatoxin containing species, particularly Amanita phalloides, Amanita virosa, Amanita verna which cause fulminant hepatic failure often with encephalopathy.
METHODS
We experienced twenty two patients with acute mushroom poisoning admitted to Dong San hospital, Keimyung University through emergency department between January 1990 and September 1997.
RESULTS
Mean age of the patients was 40.0 years and the ratio of male to female was 1 : 0.83. Seasonal distribution is 10 patients in July, 3 in August and 9 in September. The mean interval between ingestion and early symptom onset was 9.7 hours. Most of the patients had early gastrointestinal symptoms; abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. except for a patient with associated mental change. The subsequent symptoms and signs follow up admission were fulminant hepatic failure(72.7%), renal failure(31.8%), mental change(27.3%), acute pancreatitis(9.1%), pericardial effusion(4.5%) and erythematous rash(4.5%). The outcomes of the patients were recovery(72.7%), death(18.2%) and hopeless discharge(9.1%).
CONCLUSION
The patients who have mushroom poisoning are misdiagnosed as having viral gastroenteritis and are discharged frequently. The doctors and people should be educated not to overlook the severity of mushroom poisoning.

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Agaricales*
Amanita
Diarrhea
Eating
Emergency Service, Hospital
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gastroenteritis
Humans
Liver Failure, Acute
Male
Mushroom Poisoning*
Nausea
Seasons
Vomiting