Relationship between Serum Neuron Specific Enolase Level and Seizure in Patients with Acute Glufosinate Ammonium Poisoning

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Glufosinate ammonium poisoning can cause seizures, even after a symptom-free period. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between serum neuron specific enolase (NSE) level and the occurrence of seizures in patients with acute glufosinate ammonium poisoning. METHODS: For this retrospective observational study, data from patients diagnosed with acute glufosinate ammonium poisoning were collected between January 2016 and June 2016. Serum NSE was measured within 2 hours of arrival at the emergency department. The patients were divided into a seizure group and a non-seizure group. RESULTS: The seizure group included eight of the 15 total patients (53.3%). The serum NSE level was significantly higher in the seizure group than in the non-seizure group (32.4±11.9 ng/mL vs. 19.5±5 ng/mL, p=0.019). The amount of glufosinate ingested and initial and peak serum ammonia levels were significantly higher in the seizure group than in the non-seizure group. There was no significant difference in the area under the curve of the serum NSE level or the initial and peak serum ammonia levels in terms of predicting the occurrence of seizures. CONCLUSION: In acute glufosinate poisoning, initial serum NSE levels may help in prediction of seizures.