title: [Acute salicylate intoxication after trancutaneous absorption].
abstract: Topical salicylate preparations are primarily employed as keratolytic agents in the treatment of dermatologic disorders. A case of severe salicylate intoxication in a 70-year-old man with psoriasis, treated with a topical cream containing salicylic acid, is described. After five days the patient was admitted to ICU with encephalopathy and severe acid-base disturbances (respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis, increased anion gap). A plasma salicylate concentration was elevated at 695 mg/Lt. Emergent hemodialysis was accompanied by a rapid lowering of plasma salicylate concentration and resolution of metabolic acidosis. Salicylate is well absorbed by normal and diseased skin. In this patient the lack of a normal epidermal barrier greatly enhances absorption of topical salicylate. It is therefore suggested that all topical salicylate treatments should be routinely monitored with salicylate blood concentration especially during the initial few days after onset or after any changes in treatment.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Anestesia, Rianimazione e Terapia Intensiva, Azienda Ospedaliera, Santa Maria degli Angeli, Pordenone.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pertoldi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: D'Orlando
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Mercante
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D012869:Skin Absorption
chemical_list: D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D020156:Salicylic Acid