Laryngeal survey in glyphosate intoxication: a pathophysiological investigation

Abstract

Respiratory aspiration is a serious potential complication of glyphosate-surfactant herbicide intoxication. From October 1, 1992 to June 30, 1996, we performed laryngeal evaluations in 53 cases to investigate the possible pathophysiological mechanism of glyphosate intoxica tion. There were 36 cases with significant laryngeal injury. The blood WBC count were significantly higher and the hospital stays were significantly longer in patients with laryngeal injury, when compared with patients with no laryngeal injury (Student t-test, P < 0.005). Laryngeal injury was strongly correlated with aspiration pneumoni tis (X2 =4.449, P<0.05). We concluded that laryngeal injury may be the major cause of aspiration that leads to some degree of morbidity and mortality, following concentrated glyphosate-surfactant herbicide intoxica tion. Laryngeal survey may be indicated in cases of glyphosate-surfactant intoxication, to evaluate the sever ity of mucosal injury, and to apply adequate supportive management as early as possible to prevent from aspiration complications and even mortality.