DELIBERATE OVERDOSE OF URANIUM - TOXICITY AND TREATMENT

A case is described of deliberate ingestion of 15 g of uranium acetate which resulted in acute renal failure requiring dialytic therapy for 2 weeks, refractory anaemia, rhabdomyolysis, myocarditis, liver dysfun ction with a disproportionate coagulopathy and paralytic ileus. Despit e significant elevations in plasma uranium levels, treatment with both calcium EDTA and calcium DTPA were ineffective in promoting uranium e xcretion. Six months later the initial significant renal impairment ex ists with a persistent incomplete Fanconi syndrome. Future options for management of this unusual cause of acute renal failure are discussed .