Reversible dialytic encephalopathy after interruption of aluminium intake. 6 cases
Buge, A.; Poisson, M.; Masson, S.; Bleibel, J.M.; Mashaly, R.; Jaudon, M.C.; Lafforgue, B.; Lebkiri, B.; Raymond, P.
La Nouvelle Presse Medicale 8(34): 2729-2733
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-1518 PMID: 493078 Document Number: 143902
The cases presented with psychic troubles and repeated somnolence episodes accompanied by dysarthria in 5 cases, myoclonic jerks in 4 cases and epileptic seizures in 1 case. In all cases the EEG was disturbed. It showed symetrical, paroxystic, bilateral, monomorph slow activity with more or less frequent paroxysms. The average serum aluminium level was at 407 microgram/l in the acute phase, at 161 microgram/l in the remission phase and at 123 microgram/l three months later. After interruption of oral and dialytic aluminium intake the remission is maintained. However in 2 cases the transitory readministration of aluminium gel was followed by reversible recurrency. The role of both aluminium gel and dialysate aluminium as the origin of encephalopathy is discussed.