[Accidental lithium poisoning in a patient with chronic hemodialysis]

The authors report a case of acute lithium poisoning, of double interest by virtue of its accidental origin and the fact that the patient suffered from chronic uraemia treated by intermittent haemodialysis, without residual diuresis. Neurological involvement consisted of a succession of dysarthria, behaviour disturbance, extra-pyramidal hypertonia and finally coma with respiratory difficulties. A favourable outcome was obtained by daily haemodialysis which made possible the elimination of almost all the lithium introduced into the body.