Ciddi Nörolojik Bulgularla Birlikte Giden Lityum Zehirlenmesi Olgusu

Abstract

Lithium is used for the treatment of bipolar disorder and some other psychiatric disorders. Due to the narrow therapeutic range, intoxications are common. In this case, chronic lithium intoxication with severe neurological symptoms was discussed in light of the literature. A 72-year-old female patient. The patient had been receiving psychiatric treatment for 7 years with the diagnosis of unipolar depression. In the 6th month of lithium use, she was brought by her relatives with complaints of drowsiness, tremor, muscle twitching, and difficulty walking. On examination, consciousness was confused, there was no cooperation orientation and there was general rigidity, tremor, fasciculations, and ataxic gait. Vital signs; blood pressure 147/92 mmHg, heart rate 69 bpm, SpO2: 94%. The laboratory tests: lithium 2.98 mEq/L, potassium 5.8 mmol/l, sodium 129 mmol/l, creatinine 1.66 mg/dl, urea 166 mg/dl. The patient was transferred to the internal medicine clinic with the diagnosis of lithium intoxication. Lithium treatment was discontinued. On the 7th day, her neurological symptoms improved with supportive treatment, and biochemical parameters returned to normal. A lithium concentration of more than 3.5 mEq/L was defined as severe poisoning. Neurological findings are prominent in severe poisonings. Especially, geriatric population is at greater risk. In our case; age, use of three different groups of diuretics as antihypertensive treatment, and urinary tract infection were defined as factors that predispose to poisoning. In this case, it's emphasized that although the lithium blood level isn't very high, severe neurological symptoms can be seen clinically in the presence of risk factors.