Korean J Med.  2017 Feb;92(1):70-73. 10.3904/kjm.2017.92.1.70.

Acute Kidney Injury Following Chemical Burns Caused by Hexavalent Chromium

• Lee Y
• Yu Y
• An JN
• Lee JP
• Lim CS
• Oh YK

• KMID: 2376947
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2017.92.1.70

Abstract

The metal chromium is widely used in industry. Hexavalent chromium is a strong oxidizing agent, and exposure to some hexavalent compounds can cause serious problems, such as skin ulcers, acute gastroenteritis, acute tubular necrosis with renal failure, and hepatic necrosis. We report a case of acute kidney injury following skin exposure to hexavalent chromium, which burned a relatively small percentage of the total body surface area (TBSA). A 49-year-old man developed oliguria and acute kidney injury 3 days after burning about 5% of his TBSA with chromic acid solution, causing second-to third-degree chemical burns. His creatinine level increased to 12.5 mg/dL. The patient underwent hemodialysis with supportive care. His renal function improved and the dialysis was discontinued. The serum and urine chromium concentrations also decreased.

Keyword

Chromium; Acute kidney injury; Burns, Chemical

MeSH Terms

Acute Kidney Injury*
Body Surface Area
Burns
Burns, Chemical*
Chromium*
Creatinine
Dialysis
Gastroenteritis
Humans
Middle Aged
Necrosis
Oliguria
Renal Dialysis
Renal Insufficiency
Skin
Skin Ulcer
Chromium
Creatinine