Acute renal failure and lithium intoxication.

A case of acute renal failure is reported in a patient with severe lithium intoxication. Renal biopsy showed damage in the proximal tubules with less marked changes in the glomeruli and interlobular arteries. Lithium was withdrawn, and after treatment with peritoneal dialysis the patient regained normal renal function. The accumulation of lithium is known to lead to acute renal failure in the rat and the dog, and this report provides further evidence that it may do so in man.