Abstract
Context: Solanum torvum berries, known as susumber or Turkey berries, are prepared as part of traditional Jamaican dishes usually served with cod and rice. Poisoning is rare. Although toxic compounds have never been definitively isolated, previous reports suggest toxicity results from inhibition of acetylcholinesterases. We present a case of susumber berry poisoning with detailed electromyographic studies and laboratory analysis.Case details: A 54-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department (ED) complaining of vision, speech, and gait changes; emesis; and diffuse myalgias following consumption of susumber berries. The physical examination demonstrated an intact, lucid mental status, miosis, opsoclonus, severe dysarthria, dysmetria, mild extremity tenderness and weakness, and inability to ambulate. Her symptom constellation was interpreted as a stroke.Discussion: Electromyography demonstrated a pattern of early full recruitment as well as myotonia during the period of acute toxicity. Additionally, solanaceous compounds, in particular solasonine and solanidine, were identified in leftover berries and the patients serum. Store-bought commercial berries and subsequent serum samples were free of such toxic compounds. EMG studies, together with a laboratory analysis of berries or serum can assist in the differential diagnosis of stroke, and provide both a prognostic screening and confirmation of suspected glycoside toxicity.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 61-65 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Clinical Toxicology |
| Volume | 54 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 2 2016 |
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Keywords
- Electromyography
- solanum torvum
- susumber berries
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Toxicology
Cite this
Electromyographic and laboratory findings in acute Solanum torvum poisoning. / Glover, Robert L.; Connors, Nicholas J.; Stefan, Cristiana; Wong, Ernest; Hoffman, Robert S.; Nelson, Lewis S.; Milstein, Mark J.; Smith, Silas W.; Swerdlow, Michael L.
In: Clinical Toxicology, Vol. 54, No. 1, 02.01.2016, p. 61-65.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Electromyographic and laboratory findings in acute Solanum torvum poisoning
AU - Glover, Robert L.
AU - Connors, Nicholas J.
AU - Stefan, Cristiana
AU - Wong, Ernest
AU - Hoffman, Robert S.
AU - Nelson, Lewis S.
AU - Milstein, Mark J.
AU - Smith, Silas W.
AU - Swerdlow, Michael L.
PY - 2016/1/2
Y1 - 2016/1/2
N2 - Context: Solanum torvum berries, known as susumber or Turkey berries, are prepared as part of traditional Jamaican dishes usually served with cod and rice. Poisoning is rare. Although toxic compounds have never been definitively isolated, previous reports suggest toxicity results from inhibition of acetylcholinesterases. We present a case of susumber berry poisoning with detailed electromyographic studies and laboratory analysis.Case details: A 54-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department (ED) complaining of vision, speech, and gait changes; emesis; and diffuse myalgias following consumption of susumber berries. The physical examination demonstrated an intact, lucid mental status, miosis, opsoclonus, severe dysarthria, dysmetria, mild extremity tenderness and weakness, and inability to ambulate. Her symptom constellation was interpreted as a stroke.Discussion: Electromyography demonstrated a pattern of early full recruitment as well as myotonia during the period of acute toxicity. Additionally, solanaceous compounds, in particular solasonine and solanidine, were identified in leftover berries and the patients serum. Store-bought commercial berries and subsequent serum samples were free of such toxic compounds. EMG studies, together with a laboratory analysis of berries or serum can assist in the differential diagnosis of stroke, and provide both a prognostic screening and confirmation of suspected glycoside toxicity.
AB - Context: Solanum torvum berries, known as susumber or Turkey berries, are prepared as part of traditional Jamaican dishes usually served with cod and rice. Poisoning is rare. Although toxic compounds have never been definitively isolated, previous reports suggest toxicity results from inhibition of acetylcholinesterases. We present a case of susumber berry poisoning with detailed electromyographic studies and laboratory analysis.Case details: A 54-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department (ED) complaining of vision, speech, and gait changes; emesis; and diffuse myalgias following consumption of susumber berries. The physical examination demonstrated an intact, lucid mental status, miosis, opsoclonus, severe dysarthria, dysmetria, mild extremity tenderness and weakness, and inability to ambulate. Her symptom constellation was interpreted as a stroke.Discussion: Electromyography demonstrated a pattern of early full recruitment as well as myotonia during the period of acute toxicity. Additionally, solanaceous compounds, in particular solasonine and solanidine, were identified in leftover berries and the patients serum. Store-bought commercial berries and subsequent serum samples were free of such toxic compounds. EMG studies, together with a laboratory analysis of berries or serum can assist in the differential diagnosis of stroke, and provide both a prognostic screening and confirmation of suspected glycoside toxicity.
KW - Electromyography
KW - solanum torvum
KW - susumber berries
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84951566675&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84951566675&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3109/15563650.2015.1110749
DO - 10.3109/15563650.2015.1110749
M3 - Article
C2 - 26577583
AN - SCOPUS:84951566675
VL - 54
SP - 61
EP - 65
JO - Clinical Toxicology
JF - Clinical Toxicology
SN - 1556-3650
IS - 1
ER -