Acute renal failure due to interstitial nephritis induced by 'glue-sniffing' with subsequent recovery.

We report a case of the deliberate inhalation of a toluene-containing adhesive which caused acute renal failure and hepatic damage. Renal biopsy disclosed a severe tubulo-interstitial nephritis, renal function recovered after 14 days' haemodialysis. The literature on renal complications of toluene exposure is reviewed, this is the only case of acute renal failure due to interstitial nephritis after toluene exposure with subsequent recovery. Recovery in this case may have been related to the avoidance of further toluene exposure.