title: [Chronic salicylate poisoning is a challenging diagnosis].
abstract: Chronic salicylate poisoning is often seen in elderly patients as a result of an unintended overdosage, a change in metabolism or kidney function. The symptoms are often unspecific. This case report is about a 55-year-old man who was unconscious when admitted to hospital, and who died three hours after admission. An autopsy and a toxicological test showed a deadly level of salicylate in his blood. Afterwards, his wife told that he had complained about a sudden hearing loss, and that his behaviour had changed prior to his death. It is important to keep this diagnosis in mind when treating especially elderly patients.
authors.affiliation: Institut for Retsmedicin, Aarhus Universitet, Brendstrupgårdsvej 100, 8200 Aarhus N. mhoc@retsmedicin.au.dk.
authors.forename: Malene Hollbaum
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: Asser Hedegård
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.forename: Ljubica Vukelic
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000506:poisoning*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012459:Salicylates / Q000506:poisoning*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D012459:Salicylates