Acute Kidney Injury Following Chemical Burns Caused by Hexavalent Chromium / 대한내과학회지

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.