[Lead poisoning. Apropos of a case of acute encephalopathy in an adult].

Although acute lead encephalopathy is rare in adults, the authors had the opportunity to observe a case in a patient who had been exposed to lead occupationally for 25 years. This patient was also seen to be suffering from anemia and polyneuropathy. The blood lead level was 591 micrograms/100 ml (28,52 mumol/l). A review of the literature concerning the principal sources of lead poisoning, routes of absorption, metabolism and consequences of poisoning is conducted. Treatment by chelating agents is discussed. CaNa2-EDTA was administered by i.v. infusion over 24 hours and a favorable evolution was rapidly observable in the encephalopathy and anemia. On the other hand, the polyneuropathy was intensified, a fact which may have been caused by redistribution of lead in the soft tissues.