Mass spectrometry is a chemical analytical method of determining organic substances by comparing their mass spectrum with mass spectra found in system libraries. In the case of biological products, substances of interest, like organophosphorus compounds, must be separated and identified for rapid and good medical measures (antidotism procedures) in acute intoxication case. A gas chromatograph coupled with a Varian mass spectrometer (GC-MS), was used to develop the application. The proposed objective is presenting the medical applicability in acute organophosphorus compounds intoxication management of the GC/MS method (gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) as a separation and identification method for these compounds and their metabolites in urine samples.
Acute drug-related acute intoxications or suicidal ideation following overdose with anticonvulsants may cause major morbidity, in many cases requiring intensive care and prolonged periods of hospitalization. The case of a 35-year-old patient known for a history of epilepsy with phenobarbital and carbamazepine treatment is brought to the Emergency Unit by transfer from another hospital in a comatose state with insufficient respiratory performance, bilateral active mydriasis. From the family members' claims, the patient discontinued treatment with phenobarbital two weeks ago. Following interdisciplinary examination, hospitalization in the Neurology Department with the diagnosis of epileptic status is decided. Due to the progressive aggravation of acute respiratory insufficiency, the ventilator support is constituted. Since the biological samples related to probability diagnosis and cerebral imaging were not conclusive, toxicological samples were collected. The GC/MS analytical toxicology screening in urine reveals the presence of carbamazepine and phenobarbital and their plasma levels (5.92 and 92.3 mg/l) as determined by the FPIA method indicate an overdose of phenobarbital therapy. The patient is taken over by the Department of Clinical Toxicology where specific intensive care measures are applied. Clinical evolution is favorable. The psychiatric examination highlights the depressive idea, suicidal ideas, and uselessness. The suicide attempt is confirmed. It also presents a review of the main information about acute poisoning with anticonvulsants, but also about the analytical laboratory methods that bring precious information in establishing the diagnosis of certainty.
