[Acute renal failure following mannitol infusion]

Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic used in acute oliguric renal failure, acute cerebral edema, and acute glaucoma. It is metabolically inert and is excreted through the kidneys. So once renal function is impaired, mannitol accumulates and the movement of water into the intravascular space with resultant cellular dehydration. Two patients suffered reversible acute oliguric renal failure following mannitol infusion given as treatment for intracranial hypertension. Both patients experienced nausea and vomiting and became increasingly lethargic with edema of general body. Congestive heart failure occurred. Laboratory data showed severe dilutional hyponatremia with hyperosmolality. We successfully treated them with extracorporeal ultrafiltration method (ECUM) and hemodialysis (HD). Some discussions were presented about acute renal failure following mannitol infusion.