Chronic methyl bromide toxicity is ameliorated by haemodialysis

Abstract

Methyl bromide is an odourless, colourless, highly volatile gas, primarily used in fumigation. It can cause significant neurotoxicity, especially with chronic exposure. Haemodialysis has been used in acute toxicity, but its utility in chronic exposure has never been reported. We report the use of haemodialysis in a 20‐year‐old man with chronic methyl bromide toxicity affecting the optic nerves, brain and spinal cord. The patient underwent eight haemodialysis sessions with improvement in plasma bromine concentration, half‐life and marked clinical recovery. The case demonstrates the utility of haemodialysis in the treatment of chronic methyl bromide toxicity.