Star fruit intoxication successfully treated by charcoal haemoperfusion and intensive haemofiltration

Abstract

We report on a case of an elderly woman with chronic renal impairment, secondary to diabetic nephropathy, who developed a deep coma and seizure shortly after consumption of star fruit. She was managed in the intensive care unit, and her consciousness level improved dramatically after an 8-hour charcoal haemoperfusion and 30 hours of continuous haemofiltration. There were no long-term neurological or renal sequelae 9 months later. Early recognition of this condition, intensive dialytic therapy and supportive measures, as well as early initiation of charcoal haemoperfusion may improve the management of this potentially treatable condition.