Hypermagnesemia Accompanied with Colonic Perforation in a Hemodialysis Patient

• Published in: Yonsei medical journal Vol. 54; no. 3; pp. 797 - 800
• Main Authors: Yoon, Hye Eun, Kim, Young Wook, Ha, Kyung Sun, Sim, Eun Hui, Go, Seong Woo, Shin, Seok Joon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Yonsei University College of Medicine 01.05.2013; 연세대학교의과대학
• Subjects: Case Report; Colitis, Ischemic - chemically induced; Colitis, Ischemic - diagnosis; Colitis, Ischemic - surgery; Constipation - drug therapy; Constipation - surgery; Female; Humans; Intestinal Perforation - chemically induced; Intestinal Perforation - surgery; Laxatives - adverse effects; Laxatives - poisoning; Magnesium - poisoning; Middle Aged; Renal Dialysis; 의학일반; hemodialysis; colonic perforation; Hypermagnesemia; paralytic ileus
• ISSN: 0513-5796; 1976-2437; 1976-2437
• DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2013.54.3.797

We report a case of a chronic hemodialysis patient who developed hypermagnesemia due to an overdose of magnesium-containing laxative and paralytic ileus resulting in colonic perforation. Despite intravenous calcium infusion and daily hemodialysis, the patient developed ischemic colitis and intestinal perforation. Colonic perforation accompanied with hypermagnesemia in hemodialysis patients has rarely been reported. This case suggests that hypermagnesemia should be considered in renal failure patients as this can result in life-threatening events despite prompt treatment.