Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Hemodialysis in the Treatment of Mushroom Poisoning

Introduction-Aim: Diagnosis and management of wild mushroom poisoning is a difficult problem for physcians across the world. Further, treatment options are controversial. Material-Method: Over a period of three and a half years, 62 patients including 32 females and 30 males with wild mushroom poisoning were treated at University Hospital of Balcali, Adana, Turkey. Treatment consisted of: decontamination of stomach, fluid and electrolyte replacement, oral activated charcoal, combined early hemodialysis. This combination of treatment modalities was used to accelerate the elimination of mushroom toxins from the patient?s bodies. Results: Patients were divided into three groups: Group I, 34 patients, hemodialysis was carried out within 12 hours from ingestion; Group II, 10 patients, hemodialysis was carried out within 12,1-18 hours from ingestion; Group III, 18 patients, hemodialysis was carried out after 18 hours from ingestion. The shortest period of hospitalization was required by the patients of Group I ( 91,6 % of patients were discharged at 48 hours). The longest period of hospitalization was required by the patients of Group III (55,6 % of patients were discharged after 120 hours). Two patients died in Group III. Conclusion: We have concluded that early hemodialysis treatment applied in these cases is effective in relieving patients with wild mushroom poisoning. Keywords: Mushroom poisoning, Hemodialysis