A COMPLICATED COURSE OF BORIC ACID TOXICITY
Vicken Zeitjian MD*, Patil Injean DO, Derek Freiheit MD and Pedro Quiroga MD
ABSTRACT
Boric acid poisoning is a rare, but fatal toxicity that can potentially cause multi-â€Â organ failure. We present a case of a patient with ingested boric acid poisoning who became critically ill with systemic involvement. This case report is important because it highlights the classic physical exam findings of boric acid poisoning, its life-â€Âthreatening course, and potential options for management. Diagnosis of boric acid toxicity remains difficult without appropriate history because of the lack of laboratory assays, therefore clinical suspicion is important. Toxin elimination is the preferred treatment, whether with dialysis in severe boric acid poisoning or with a conservative approach in mild poisoning. Despite a complicated course, our patient fortunately survived without dialysis. Had we known that the patient suffered from boric acid poisoning, early dialysis may have shortened her hospital course.
Keywords: Boric acid, boric acid toxicity, pesticide toxicity.
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