title: Hypermagnesemia-induced fatality following epsom salt gargles(1).
abstract: Hypermagnesemia is a rare cause of coma in a patient with normal renal function. When present, it is often because of iatrogenic medication overdose. We report a fatal case of chronic Epsom salt gargles for halitosis that produced a serum magnesium of 23.6 mg/dL (9.8 mmol/L) and resulted in coma. We review the wide presentation of hypermagnesemia from subtle neurologic and cardiovascular signs to the major life-threatening clinical manifestations of shock, dysrhythmias, coma, and cardiopulmonary arrest despite emergency dialysis.
authors.affiliation: St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, Paterson, New Jersey 07503, USA.
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Birrer
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Shallash
authors.forename: Vicken
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Totten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D003128:Coma / Q000209:etiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000506:poisoning*; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000506:poisoning*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D008274:Magnesium