A Case of Salicylate-Intoxication-Induced Pseudohyperchloremia / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Despite the increasing use of alternative analgesic agents, salicylate overdose remains a not-uncommon problem. Severe poisoning is life threatening, so prompt treatment and supportive measures are required to reduce mortality. Generally, salicylate intoxication results in the development of high-anion-gap metabolic acidosis. However, outside of Korea, normal-anion-gap or negative-anion-gap metabolic acidosis with hyperchloremia is rarely reported. We report herein the case of an 83-year-old female patient with chronic aspirin intake who presented with hyperchloremia and a negative anion gap. The patient's symptoms improved with conservative treatment and hemodialysis; notably, her chloride levels decreased as her blood salicylate concentrations decreased. Salicylate may cause hyperchloremia, demonstrating the importance of careful documentation of patient medication histories.