Delayed-Onset and Prolonged Laryngeal Edema Following Pyrethroid Insecticide Poisoning: A Case Report

AI Summary

Permethrin poisoning can cause delayed-onset, prolonged laryngeal oedema despite no initial airway abnormalities.
Airway compromise may persist despite corticosteroid therapy, necessitating reintubation and tracheostomy for prolonged management.
Seizures from pyrethroid neurotoxicity can occur, so extended monitoring of the upper airway and neurological status is warranted.

Cureus. 2026 Apr 17;18(4):e107257. doi: 10.7759/cureus.107257. eCollection 2026 Apr.

ABSTRACT

Pyrethroid insecticides are generally considered to have low mammalian toxicity; however, severe toxicity may occur following high-dose or intentional ingestion. Pyrethroids are classified into two types, Type Ⅰ and Type Ⅱ, with permethrin belonging to Type Ⅰ, which is typically associated with tremor. Laryngeal edema associated with pyrethroid poisoning has been rarely reported and is usually acute and self-limited. We report a case of delayed-onset and prolonged laryngeal edema following permethrin ingestion that required extended airway management and tracheostomy. A 73-year-old woman attempted suicide by ingesting a permethrin-based insecticide. She was intubated on admission for airway protection, showing no evidence of laryngeal edema at that time. Seizures occurred on hospital days two and three, likely attributed to pyrethroid neurotoxicity. Although her neurological status improved, extubation on day eight resulted in inspiratory stridor. Laryngoscopy revealed marked laryngeal edema, necessitating reintubation. Despite corticosteroid therapy, the edema persisted for more than two weeks, and a tracheostomy was performed on day 16. The patient was decannulated on day 30 and discharged without sequelae. This case demonstrated that pyrethroid poisoning can induce delayed-onset and prolonged laryngeal edema, even in the absence of initial airway findings. Clinicians should remain vigilant as airway compromise may evolve beyond the acute phase; consequently, extended monitoring of the upper airway is warranted in cases of severe pyrethroid toxicity.

PMID:42158774 | PMC:PMC13180496 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.107257

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