Open AccessPlumbism or Lead Intoxication Mimicking an Abdominal Tumor
Author(s) -
Dedeken Peter,
Louw Ver,
Vandooren AnnKarolien,
Geert Verstegen,
Goossens Willy,
Dubois Bénédicte
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of general internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.746
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 1525-1497
pISSN - 0884-8734
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1497.2006.00328.x
Subject(s) - medicine , lead poisoning , anemia , presentation (obstetrics) , abdomen , differential diagnosis , intensive care medicine , surgery , pathology , psychiatry
The clinical presentation of lead intoxication may vary widely and in the absence of a high clinical index of suspicion, the diagnosis may be missed. The effects of lead on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and its interaction with calcium‐mediated processes explain the heterogenous presentation. In this case report, the diagnosis was finally made when bilateral wrist drop developed on top of abdominal cramps and anemia. Before, ascites raised the suspicion of a tumor. Therefore, each element of the triad of unexplained anemia, abdominal cramps, and bilateral wrist (or foot) drop should lead any physician to consider the diagnosis of lead intoxication. This case also illustrates the importance of a careful and meticulous social history in patient management.