Fatal pulmonary complications associated with activated charcoal: An autopsy case

Abstract

Activated charcoal is commonly used in the treatment of patients experiencing an oral overdose of drugs and is considered to be a safe, inert agent. However, various complications associated with the use of activated charcoal have been reported, with acute respiratory failure being a fatal one. In the presenting case, a 29-year-old female arrived at an emergency room having taken an overdose of drugs. When a nasogastric tube was inserted for gastric lavage and charcoal administration, she vomited and respiration ceased. The patient subsequently developed acute respiratory failure and died 19 days after admission. Charcoal deposition in the trachea, bronchi and lungs was observed on the postmortem examination.