Citation

Jacob J, Lavonas EJ. Ann. Emerg. Med. 2011; 58(3): 280-281.

Affiliation

Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, CO, and the University of Colorado, Aurora, CO.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, American College of Emergency Physicians, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.annemergmed.2011.02.023

PMID

21492961

Abstract

Severe salicylate poisoning is classically associated with an anion gap metabolic acidosis. However, high serum salicylate levels can cause false increase of laboratory chloride results on some analyzers. We present 2 cases of life-threatening salicylate poisoning with an apparently normal anion gap caused by an important laboratory interference. These cases highlight that the diagnosis of severe salicylism must be considered in all patients presenting with metabolic acidosis, even in the absence of an increased anion gap.

Language: en