Hemlock Poisoning in Emergent Patients

Background: Although poisoning from the ingestion of toxic plants is rarely encountered in Emergency Departments, it can cause serious complications and even death. It is difficult to recognize, diagnose, and differentiate if the patient is unconscious. Conium maculatum (poison Hemlock) is one of the most highly poisonous plants which can cause death due to respiratory failure. Clinical presentation may also be central nervous system depression, renal failure, rhabdomyolisis, and dermatitis. The similar shape and appearance of the plant to parsley can cause ingestion by mistake, which makes it difficult to obtain an accurate medical history from witnesses. Public awareness regarding mushroom poisoning is descriptive in the treatment of victims, however, patients and those accompanying them to hospital may not state the ingestion of the parsley-like poison Hemlock0.