Acute Encephalopathy Due to Aluminum Toxicity Successfully Treated by Combined Intravenous Deferoxamine and Hemodialysis

Abstract

Acute aluminum intoxication is uncommon in clinical practice but can be fatal. This limited experience is reflected in the paucity of data assessing a viable approach to the treatment of these patients. In this report, the authors describe the clinical course and successful, pharmacokinetic-based deferoxamine-hemodialysis treatment regimen of a patient with severe aluminum encephalopathy following alum bladder irrigation. The combined use of deferoxamine and appropriately timed hemodialysis appears to be a very reasonable means of treating patients with severe acute aluminum intoxication.