Acute mannitol intoxication in a patient with normal renal function.

Abstract

A young, previously healthy patient with multiple trauma mistakenly received 400 grams of mannitol over a 3-hour period. The laboratory report of hyponatremia prompted treatment with hypertonic saline before the hyperosmolar state was recognized. The osmolal gap was 118. Mannitol intoxication in a patient without preexisting renal failure is unusual. Identification of an abnormal osmolal gap and recognition of the hyperosmolar state is discussed.