We report the cases of 10 patients with acute lithium intoxication who were treated over the past 6 years. The range of lithium overdose was 600 mg to 9,600 mg and the lithium concentration of all cases was greater than the toxic concentration. Three of the 10 cases were treated with fluid therapy. Another 3 cases were treated with continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF). The rest were treated with hemodialysis (HD). The serum lithium concentration of the 3 patients with fluid therapy gradually decreased. However, it took 24 hours after the treatment to reach the therapeutic level in Case 2 since the slope was comparatively loose. In the meantime, the high lithium concentration of patients with CHDF (Cases 4, 8, 10) and HD rapidly decreased and it finally reached the therapeutic level. But a post-dialysis rebound effect in the lithium concentration was detected in Case 9. This report shows that CHDF and HD is an effective and sufficient treatment for lowering the serum concentration of lithium in a short period in acute lithium toxicity. As the serum lithium concentration of a patient with HD often rebounds and repeated or prolonged treatment may be required, we reaffirmed the patient's condition. Thus, completion of HD should be judged based on not only serum lithium concentration but also sufficient observation of the clinical course.
