Extrapyramidal Parkinsonism Complicating Acute Organophosphate Insecticide Poisoning

The aim of this study is to report our experience with a child who developed extrapyramidal perturbations complicating acute organophosphate insecticides poisoning and to review the literature reporting on basal ganglia impairment associated with this poisoning. Our patient had developed overt parkinsonism presenting with a resting tremor, expressionless face, and lack of blinking along with marked cogwheel rigidity and a stooped, slow gait. He was alert, coherent, and cooperative, yet agitated. The parkinsonian perturbations developed 5 days after an accidental ingestion of a raw eggplant sprayed with the organophosphate dimethoate (Rogor) when he had already recovered from the acute cholinergic crisis, the first stage of organophosphate poisoning. Such a presentation was initially perceived by his caregivers as severe reactive depression or even psychosis. Once a parkinsonian syndrome was diagnosed, he was begun on amantadine and completely recovered within 1 week with no relapse of symptoms. Basal ganglia impairment should be considered in any patient who develops extrapyramidal symptoms such as marked rigidity and bradykinesia or choreoathetosis while recovering from the acute cholinergic phase of organophosphate insecticide poisoning. Thus, administration of a drug such as amantadine, which probably enhances neurotransmission, may hasten the rate of recovery and prevent long-term neurologic and emotional sequelae.