A Case of Cochlear Implantation in Bromate-Induced Bilateral Sudden Deafness

Despite the well-established nature of bromate-induced ototoxicity, cochlear implantation after bromate intoxication has been rarely documented. We hereby present a case of a 51-year-old female deafened completely after bromate ingestion. Her hearing was not restored by systemic steroid treatment and hearing aids were of no use. A cochlear implantation was performed on her right ear 3 months after the bromate ingestion. In bromate intoxication cases, early monitoring of hearing level is necessary and other drugs with potential ototoxicity should be avoided. The outcome of cochlear implantation was excellent in this case of bromate-induced deafness.

Acute Kidney Injury due to Sodium Bromate Intoxication: A Report of Two Cases

Sodium bromate is a strong oxidant used as a neutralizing solution in hair permanents, as well as an auxiliary agent in printing and dyeing. Accidental or deliberate ingestion of bromate solution has rarely been reported in Korea. The clinical manifestations of bromate intoxication are vomiting, diarrhea, central nervous system symptoms, oliguric or non-oliguric acute kidney injury, hemolytic anemia, and deafness; most of these manifestations are reversible, with the exception of renal failure and deafness. Here, we report on two patients who demonstrated distinct clinical progressions. In the first case, a 16-year-old woman was successfully treated with hemodialysis and recovered renal function without hearing loss. However, in the second case, delayed hemodialysis resulted in persistent renal failure and hearing loss in a 77-year-old woman. This suggests that emergency therapeutic measures, including hemodialysis, should be taken as soon as possible, as the rapid removal of bromate may be essential to preventing severe intoxication and its sequelae.

A Case of Severe Acute Renal Failure Due to Sodium Bromate Intoxication / 대한신장학회지

Bromate is an oxidizing agent used as a permanent wave neutralizer. Accidental or deliberate ingestion of bromate has rarely been reported, but is potentially severe. We report a 36-year-old female hairdresser, who was admitted due to nausea and vomiting after ingestion of sodium bromate. The patient was successfully treated with hemodialysis therapy and renal function recovered without any complication. The clinicians must remember that early therapeutic measures, including hemodialysis, should be taken as soon as possible to prevent irreversible hearing loss and renal failure.

Hearing and Visual Loss with Renal Failure Due to Sodium Bromate Poisoning / 대한신장학회잡지

Hair neutralizer in home permanent cold wave kits contains a 2% to 10% potassium or sodium bromate, which is colorless, odorless and tasteless solution. Bromate salts are extremely toxic oxidants. The reported toxic effects of bromates poisoning are vomiting, diarrhea, depression of central nervous system, oliguric acute renal failure, sensorineural hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy and hemolytic anemia. Deafness seems to be almost permanent. In many cases, the recovery of renal function is not complete and some of them are transformed to chronic renal failure and maintained on hemodialysis. Since the serious side effects of deafness and acute renal filure usually occur within 4-16 h after ingestion, prompt removal of the bromate from blood by peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis, which are proven method of removal, should be performed immediately. Recently, we encountered a 37 year old female hairdresser who was admitted to St. Mary Hospital due to oligura, hearing loss and visual loss after ingestion of sodium bromate. The patient required regular hemodialysis therapy and no recovery of hearing and visual loss was evident up to 8 month follow up.