title: [A "historical" case of lead poisoning via drinking water: diagnostic and therapeutic issues].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is likely that lead poisoning via drinking water is often overlooked because of its supposed rarity and nonspecific early symptoms, which result in delayed management.
  
  
  METHODS
  One case of severe lead poisoning via drinking water is reported. The diagnosis was long missed and a particularly long chelating treatment was required. The clinical features included lead colic, a Burton's lead line, anemia, polyneuritis and arterial hypertension. Eighteen courses of calcium EDTA were required to obtain 'biological recovery'. The poisoning was linked to a very long water supply lead pipe and potomania secondary to alcohol withdrawal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case report illustrates how difficult the early recognition of lead poisoning can be, and underlines the need to inquire about a toxic aetiology, particularly via the environment, of otherwise unexplained pathological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Unité de toxicovigilance, centre antipoison, hôpital Edouard-Herriot, place d'Arsonval, 69437 Lyon, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Testud
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Girtanner-Brunel
authors.forename: P Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Péaud
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Serpollet
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duchen
mesh_terms: D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011164:Porphyrias / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D002614:Chelating Agents; D007854:Lead; D004492:Edetic Acid