S Afr Med J. 1990 Jun; 77(12): 640-2.

Acute dichromate poisoning after use of traditional purgatives. A report of 7 cases.

Wood R, Mills PB, Knobel GJ, Hurlow WE, Stokol JM.

Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town.

Seven cases of dichromate poisoning after the use of purgative solutions obtained from nyanga (traditional township healers) are reported. The patients all presented in established renal failure requiring dialysis, and all had abnormal liver function tests. One patient who took dichromate orally died from massive gastro-intestinal haemorrhage. Six patients took dichromate solutions as rectal enemas, 2 were left with impaired renal function and 1 required a permanent colostomy as a result of extensive peri-anal necrosis. The clinical presentation of acute renal failure, gastro-intestinal haemorrhage and hepatocellular dysfunction should alert the physician to the possibility of dichromate poisoning. The diagnosis, management and the role of dialysis in dichromate poisoning are reviewed.