Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) aspiration

Tag : sorbitol crystalline
In this short report we illustrate a case of extensive sodiumpolystyrene sulfonate (SPS) aspiration as an immediate cause ofdeath in a terminally ill patient. SPS is a cation exchange resinutilized to decrease potassium levels in patients with renalfailure.

When administered rectally in conjunction with sorbitol, colonicnecrosis and perforation have been documented. On the other hand,oral administration can be complicated by aspiration, especially invery ill or debilitated patients.

In our current report, histological examination of a patient whoaspirated SPS shows multiple polygonal to amorphous basophiliccrystalline particles deposited intraalveolarly. The purpose of ourreport is to familiarize pathologists with the histologic featuresof this rare iatrogenic complication of therapy for hyperkalemia.



Author: Luis F Gonzalez-Cuyar, Nathaniel B Cresswell and Allen PBurke
Credits/Source: Diagnostic Pathology 2008, 3:27



Published on: 2008-06-17