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Background: Plate developer is a chemical used in the printing industry and is a corrosive alkaline agent containing
sodium metasilicate as the main substance. Plate developer poisoning is rare. Literature search revealed only a single
case report of fatal sodium metasilicate poisoning (Z Rechtsmed 94(3):245—250,1985). There are no reports of acute
kidney injury related to ingestion of sodium metasilicate containing substances.
Case report: A 52-year-old Sri Lankan male with a history of hypertension and affective disorder presented following
ingestion of about 150 ml of plate developer solution. He developed severe upper airway obstruction due to laryngeal edema and underwent tracheostomy. While in the ward he developed features of acute kidney injury with high
serum creatinine levels and persistent hyperkalemia which necessitated temporary haemodialysis. Because of the corrosive effect, he developed severe inflammation of the upper gastro intestinal tract with narrowing of esophagus and
pyloric region, requiring feeding jejunostomy. He died while waiting for the surgery for pyloric stenosis.
Conclusions: Acute kidney injury is a potential treatable complication of plate developer poisoning other than its
complications related to corrosive effects. Regular monitoring of renal functions in such a patient would be useful for
early recognition of acute kidney injury.
