[Life-threatening metabolic acidosis after ingestion of fire extinguisher powder]

Anaesthesist. 2018 Sep;67(9):674-678. doi: 10.1007/s00101-018-0477-7. Epub 2018 Sep 3.
[Article in German]

Abstract

We present the case of a 31-year old male with ingestion of fire extinguisher powder in an attempted suicide. After consulting several poison information centres, the intoxication was initially classified as harmless; nevertheless, the patient was admitted to our intensive care unit for cardiopulmonary monitoring. Subsequently, due to the ingestion of ammonium sulphate and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate containing powder the patient developed severe metabolic acidosis with distinct electrolyte imbalance that required temporary haemodialysis.

Keywords: Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate; Ammonium sulphate; Hyperkalemia; Intoxication; Suicide.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acidosis / chemically induced*
  • Acidosis / therapy
  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phosphates / poisoning*
  • Renal Dialysis
  • Suicide, Attempted

Substances

  • Phosphates
  • ammonium phosphate