Parasuicide by ingestion of organophosphate (OP) insecticides is common in Sri Lanka, but the use of the parateral route to self administer the poison is extremely rare. We report a patient who deliberately injected herself intramuscularly with an OP compound with suicidal intent. The clinical manifestations of OP poisoning were unpredictable and posed a therapeutic problem.
Eddleston M , Sheriff MHR , Hawton K . Deliberate self harm in Sri Lanka: an overlooked tragedy in the developing world . BMJ1998; 317: 133-135 .
2.
de Silva HJ , Kasturiarachchi N , Seneviratne SL , Senaratne DC , Molagoda A , Ellawala NS . Suicide in Sri Lanka: points to ponder . Ceylon Med J2000; 45: 17-24 .
3.
Nishioka S de A . Parenteral injection of organophosphate insecticide. Apropos of two cases . Rev Paul Med1994; 112: 561-563 .
4.
Lyon J , Taylor H , Ackerman B . A case report of intra venous malathion injection with determination of serum half-life . J Toxicol Clin Toxicol1987; 25: 243-249 .
5.
Chandrasiri N . The first ever report of homicidal poisoning by intramuscular injection of gramaxone (Paraquat) . Ceylon Med J1999; 44: 36-39 .
6.
WHO . IPCS (International Programme on Chemical Safety). The WHO recommended classification of pesticides by hazard and guidelines to classification1998–1999. WHO/IPCS/98.21.
7.
Senanayake N , Karalliyadde L . Neurotoxic effects of organophosphorus insecticides: an intermediate syndrome . New Engl J Med1987; 316: 761-763 .
