Treatment of severe thallium intoxication.
We report a successfully treated case of severe thallium intoxication. In spite of very high serum thallium (5,240 micrograms/L), symptomatology was minor and recovery complete. Prussian Blue was administered, diuresis was enhanced by intravenous fluids and a prolonged hemodialysis was started early. High blood flows (300 mL/min) and intravenous potassium chloride supplements, to mobilize thallium from the tissues, resulted in good clearances (96 to 150 mL/min). In order to prevent the well known complications, we recommend aggressive treatment of severe thallium intoxication.
Malbrain
M L
ML
Department of Nephrology-Hypertension, A.Z. Stuivenberg Antwerpen, Belgium.
Lambrecht
G L
GL
Zandijk
E
E
Demedts
P A
PA
Neels
H M
HM
Lambert
W
W
De Leenheer
A P
AP
Lins
R L
RL
Daelemans
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000931:Antidotes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005295:Ferrocyanides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005751:Gastric Lavage; D006801:Humans; D011041:Poisoning / Q000628:therapy*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D013793:Thallium / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000652:urine
D000931:Antidotes; D005295:Ferrocyanides; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D013793:Thallium; C000170:ferric ferrocyanide