Prolonged neurological burden in severe lithium intoxication.
A 53-year-old woman was brought to the Emergency Department for a persistent state of stupor, tremors, fever and oliguria. The patient had been under treatment for depression. The electrocardiogram showed a wider QRS complex; laboratory tests were as follows: urea 110 mg/dL, creatinine 3 mg/dL, sodium 135 mEq/L, potassium 4.5 mEq/L, and lithium 8.0 mEq/L. Renal replacement was initiated to normalize plasma lithium levels; both stupor and speech impairment persisted for several days after dialysis. Complete recovery was achieved several days afterwards.
Giuliani
E
E
Anesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
Iseppi
D
D
Orlandi
M C
MC
Alfonso
A
A
Barbieri
A
A
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000506:poisoning*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018020:Lithium Compounds