We report on a 75-year old woman who presented with acute oliguric renal failure. The kidney biopsy revealed calcium oxalate depositions in the tubular lumen, caused by an overload of intravenous ascorbic acid (cumulative dose of 240 g). Due to a lack of specific therapeutic interventions, the patient remained dialysis-dependent. Iatrogenic causes of kidney failure play an important role in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases and should always be considered in patients with acute renal failure. Detailed evaluation of the patient history is often suggestive, while renal biopsy can establish the diagnosis.
Keywords: Ascorbic acid; Calcium oxalate; Kidney biopsy; Oliguria; Renal insufficiency, iatrogenic disease.