title: A case of lithium poisoning? A cautionary tale.
abstract: The case of a 58 year old woman on maintenance lithium therapy who developed an acute organic brain syndrome is reported. The patient subsequently showed evidence of persistent brain damage. It is suggested that lithium toxicity was precipitated by electrolyte disturbances possibly caused by self medication with a diuretic, where serum levels of lithium were an unreliable measure of impending toxicity.
mesh_terms: D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000506:poisoning*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D008094:Lithium