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Chronic methyl bromide toxicity is ameliorated by haemodialysis
Author(s) -
Khor Nicole W. M.,
Hepburn Kirsten S.,
Chiew Angela L.,
Somerville Ernest,
Micallef Milton,
Lee Alexandra T. K.,
Endre Zoltán H.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
internal medicine journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 1444-0903
DOI - 10.1111/imj.14757
Subject(s) - medicine , toxicity , bromide , chronic toxicity , neurotoxicity , bromine , hemodialysis , dialysis , spinal cord , chronic renal failure , anesthesia , psychiatry , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , materials science , metallurgy
Methyl bromide is an odourless, colourless, highly volatile gas, primarily used in fumigation. It can cause significant neurotoxicity, especially with chronic exposure. Haemodialysis has been used in acute toxicity, but its utility in chronic exposure has never been reported. We report the use of haemodialysis in a 20‐year‐old man with chronic methyl bromide toxicity affecting the optic nerves, brain and spinal cord. The patient underwent eight haemodialysis sessions with improvement in plasma bromine concentration, half‐life and marked clinical recovery. The case demonstrates the utility of haemodialysis in the treatment of chronic methyl bromide toxicity.