Korean J Nephrol.  2005 Mar;24(2):342-345.

A Case of Acute Renal Failure Caused by Cresol Ingestion

• Han HS
• Kim HE
• Eum YO
• Yoon SI
• Han J
• Moon KW
• Kwon SK
• Kim HY
• Lee KS

Abstract

Cresol, a commonly used disinfectant, is an extremly toxic material and can cause systemic effects such as respiratory, neurological, gastrointestinal, hepatic and renal damage. Cresol intoxication can be caused by inhalation, cutaneous adsorption or oral ingestion. Cresol denatures and precipitates cellular proteins, thus exer ts their toxic effects directly on all cells. There is only one case of cresol intoxication in Korea, but a case of chemical burn. We report a case of acute renal failure caused by cresol ingestion. A 39-year-old male attempted suicide by ingesting 200 mL of 50% cresol solution. Acute renal failure developed, but he recovered by only supportive care. It was reported that the lethal dose of saponated cresol solution is approximately 60-120 mL and the lethal blood level is 71-190 microgram/mL. The amount of cresol ingested by the patient far exceeded the reported lethal dose. This is the first case of acute renal failure caused by cresol ingestion successfully treated with only supportive care in Korea.

Keyword

Cresol; Intoxication; Acute renal failure

MeSH Terms

Acute Kidney Injury*
Adsorption
Adult
Burns, Chemical
Eating*
Humans
Inhalation
Korea
Male
Suicide, Attempted