Published online Feb 26, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i6.2036
Peer-review started: September 26, 2021
First decision: October 18, 2021
Revised: October 28, 2021
Accepted: January 11, 2022
Article in press: January 11, 2022
Published online: February 26, 2022
Processing time: 150 Days and 3.4 Hours
Detergent poisoning mostly occurs through oral ingestion (> 85%), ocular exposure (< 15%), or dermal exposure (< 8%). Reports of detergent poisoning through an intravenous injection are extremely rare. In addition, there are very few cases of renal toxicity directly caused by detergents. Here, we report a unique case of acute kidney injury caused by detergent poisoning through an accidental intravenous injection.
A 61-year-old man was intravenously injected with 20 mL of detergent by another patient in the same room of a local hospital. The surfactant and calcium carbonate accounted for the largest proportion of the detergent. The patient complained of vascular pain, chest discomfort, and nausea, and was transferred to our institution. After hospitalization, the patient’s serum creatinine level increased to 5.42 mg/dL, and his daily urine output decreased to approximately 300 mL. Renal biopsy findings noted that the glomeruli were relatively intact; however, diffuse acute tubular injury was observed. Generalized edema was also noted, and the patient underwent a total of four hemodiafiltration sessions. Afterward, the patient’s urine output gradually increased whereas the serum creatinine level decreased. The patient was discharged in a stable status without any sequelae.
Detergents appear to directly cause renal tubular injury by systemic absorption. In treating a patient with detergent poisoning, physicians should be aware that the renal function may also deteriorate. In addition, timely renal replacement therapy may help improve the patient’s prognosis.
Core Tip: Reports of detergent poisoning through an intravenous injection are extremely rare. Here, we report a case of acute kidney injury caused by detergent poisoning through an accidental intravenous injection. The patient progressed to acute kidney injury after administration of detergent. Kidney biopsy showed diffuse acute tubular injury. This case demonstrates that detergent directly cause tubular injury by systemic absorption. In addition, this case shows that renal replacement therapy at an appropriate time is helpful for the patient’s prognosis.