Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning has increased rapidly in South Korea and may cause a variety of clinical effects. The most common complications are neurologic and neuropsychological disturbances. However, in rare cases, CO poisoning may also be associated with acute kidney injury and non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis. Here, we report a case of acute kidney injury and rhabdomyolysis complicating CO poisoning. A 32-year-old woman was admitted to our emergency department with dyspnea and confused consciousness after exposure to CO during a suicide attempt involving charcoal briquettes. Laboratory findings revealed a carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level of 44.8%, a blood urea nitrogen level of 20.5 mg/dL, a serum creatinine level of 1.4 mg/dL, and a creatine phosphokinase level of 8,688.3 IU/L. Acute kidney injury and rhabdomyolysis complicating CO poisoning were diagnosed. This case was managed with normobaric oxygen therapy and hydration. The patient recovered completely with respect to renal function and muscle enzyme level, and COHb level returned to 0%.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Adult ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning* ; Carbon Monoxide* ; Carbon* ; Carboxyhemoglobin ; Charcoal ; Consciousness ; Creatine Kinase ; Creatinine ; Dyspnea ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Oxygen ; Poisoning ; Rhabdomyolysis* ; Suicide

We correct the revised date of this article.

Ethambutol is commonly used as a first-line drug for the treatment of tuberculosis. The most serious adverse effect of ethambutol therapy is optic neuropathy. However, ethambutol-induced acute kidney injury is extremely rare. We report herein a case of acute kidney injury secondary to ethambutol-associated acute interstitial nephritis. A 65-year-old man with pulmonary tuberculosis presented with a > 7-day history of nausea and vomiting. He had begun antituberculosis medications including ethambutol 3 weeks previously. His laboratory findings showed elevated blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels (32.6 and 3.6 mg/dL, respectively). Examination of percutaneous renal biopsy specimens showed diffuse interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration with mild interstitial edema. The patient was treated by cessation of ethambutol and supportive care. His renal function completely recovered (creatinine, 1.1 mg/dL) and his clinical symptoms improved.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; Edema ; Ethambutol* ; Humans ; Nausea ; Nephritis, Interstitial ; Optic Nerve Diseases ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary* ; Vomiting