title: Intoxication by cholinesterase inhibitors versus opioid intoxication.
abstract: A 47 y-old male shopkeeper from a rural area ingested an unknown substance while under the effects of ethylic alcohol. He was admitted at the University Hospital of the Andes in generally poor condition with a cholinergic syndrome. An erroneous diagnosis of acute pulmonary edema and opioid intoxication was reached. The value of a patient's history (background) and careful evaluation of the physical examination findings without underestimating critical clinical signs are very important when handling a clinical intoxication.
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universidad de los Andes School of Medicine, Mérida 5101, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Pérez
authors.forename: Amada
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanchez-Galicia
authors.forename: Lourdes Calderón
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: de Cabrera
mesh_terms: D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000633:toxicity; D011654:Pulmonary Edema
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D009294:Narcotics