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Journal of Medical Case Reports
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Tremor | Case report

Lithium intoxication–induced dysgeusia accompanied by glossalgia in a patient receiving lithium carbonate: a case report

Authors: Shota Hanyu, Naoko Sugita, Miyuki Matsuda, Toshiya Murai, Hironobu Fujiwara

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

Lithium carbonate is widely used as a first-line therapeutic agent for the depressive and manic phases of bipolar disorder. Although limb tremors and hypothyroidism are well-known side effects of lithium carbonate, other rare adverse reactions can also occur.

Case presentation

A 53-year-old Japanese woman diagnosed with lithium intoxication developed dysgeusia and glossalgia during treatment with lithium carbonate. She also showed symptoms of a swaying gait, finger tremors, and dysarthria. All of these symptoms subsided when her blood lithium concentration was reduced to a level below that which induces intoxication.

Conclusions

We present a rare case of lithium carbonate–induced dysgeusia accompanied by glossalgia. Early detection of these symptoms is important in clinical settings because they can be overlooked until patients lose their appetite, which severely impairs their quality of life.
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Metadata
Title
Lithium intoxication–induced dysgeusia accompanied by glossalgia in a patient receiving lithium carbonate: a case report
Authors
Shota Hanyu
Naoko Sugita
Miyuki Matsuda
Toshiya Murai
Hironobu Fujiwara
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Medical Case Reports / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1947
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-020-02495-6

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