A 28 year old Korean barber was admitted with the chief complaints of jaundice,
general malaise and dyspnea of a week duration.
Seven days prior to admission he had ingested a package of M-Q developer,
containing 50 gm of Metol and 7 gm of Hydropuinone powder for 2 liters of working
developing solution, for suicide.
Physicasl examination
The skin was deeply yellow in color, conjunctiva swa markedly anemic and the sclera
was slightly icteric. The tongue was dehydrated and whitish coated.
The blood pressure was 140/74, pulse rate was 120/min., and the body temperature
was 35.5℃. The chest was normal and there was diffuse abdominal tenderness but no
rigidity was noted. The liver and spleen were not palpable and neurological examination
was negative.
Laboratory findings
Admission hematological studies disclosed the following: Hb 4.0 gm per 100 ㎖., RBC
1.57 mil. per cu. ㎜., Ht 10%, Reticulocyte 43%, WBC 44,200 per cu. ㎜., Differential
count phology, hypochromia(+++) anisocytosis(+) spherocytosis(+) and
polychromatophilia(+).
Admission urinalysis revealed albumin(+++), hemosiderin stain of urinary epithelial
sediments(++) and negative bilirubin pigments.
Biochemical findings on admission(+) showed the following: Bilirubin, direct
7.1 ㎎ per 100 ㎖., total 10.1 ㎎ per 100 ㎖., Alkaline phosphatase 2.3 B.U. per 100 ㎖.,
S-G OT 81 U per 100 ㎖.
Progress
Gastric lavage, blood transfusions and the supportive therapy were proceeded before
and during the admission. The patient was discharged was discharged with no evidence
of further hemolysis.
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