Case report: MRI findings of acute uremic encephalopathy in a 1-year-old boy

Abstract

We present a 1-year-old boy who presented to the emergency department with a 7-day history of diarrhoea and vomiting. The initial renal function profile demonstrated a urea of 55 mmol l−1 (normal range between 5 and 20 mmol l−1), creatinine 695 micromol/L (normal range between 62–106 micromol/L) and potassium 9.1 mmol l−1 (normal range between 3.5–5.0 mmol l−1), with a profound metabolic acidosis. Upon examination, there were no significant findings, specifically no neurological abnormality. He was prescribed back-to-back Salbutamol nebulisers, to increase the shift of extracellular potassium into the intracellular space, followed by i.v. calcium gluconate, with some improvement in potassium levels. A further 5 mmol of sodium bicarbonate was given, as well as a stat dose of 1 mg/kg furosemide, and per rectal calcium resonium. He was then commenced on an infusion with 10% dextrose with insulin. He was subsequently found to be in urinary retention and a catheter was inserted, which drained 1700 ml. A subsequent renal function profile, 24 hours after admission, demonstrated improvement with urea 39 mmol l−1, creatinine 300 micromol/L and potassium 3.0 mEq/L.