Case Report ofAutointoxication with Nutmeg Committed By a Suicideattempter

Abstract

Introduction

autointoxication with nutmeg in an emergency setting is a rare, but potentially a life-threatening event. Despite the low incidence of ‘tentamen suicidii’ (TS) with nutmeg, this substance is cheap and readily available. Early recognition of a suicide attempt with nutmeg poisoning can be extremely difficult, especially when nobody witnessed the nutmeg intake. Worldwide there are only a few cases reporting TS with nutmeg.

Objectives

To present a case of TS with nutmeg committed by a suicide attempter.

aims

To review available literature on TS with nutmeg.

Methods

a case report is presented and discussed, followed by a literature review.

Results

Five published cases of suicide attempts with nutmeg were found while searching through PUBMED and Embase. Our case describes a 57-year-old female, diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, who has been admitted to the emergency department in a state of agitation, diminished cognition, respiratory difficulties and hemodynamic instability. Electrocardiography showed a fast sinus arrhythmia with no uschemic or hypertropic changes. Blood sampling, serum and urine toxicology did not reveal any abnormalities.in view of the complexity of her condition, she admitted to have taken a large dose of nutmeg. The patient was kept for observation, offered reassurance, and rehydratation.

Conclusion

The presentation of inexplicable clinical state accomplished by disturbances of central nervous, respiratory and hemodynamic systems in the population of patients with attempting suicide should alert the physician to the rare but probably underreported possibility of nutmeg autointoxication.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.