A Case of Acute Hepatic Failure Complicated with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Caused by Sauna Bath

Abstract

A 32-year-old male who had a heavy alcohol intake before a sauna bath suffered from stupor and burns in the sauna room. Soon after, he developed a deep coma and haemorragic tendency appeared, but there was no pathological reflex. On admission the values of WBC, LDH, and transaminases markedly increased. The coagulo-fibrinolytic findings showed consumption coaguropathy and serum prealbumin markedly decreased. The findings of serum aminoacid analysis seemed to be similar to those of acute hepatic failure. He died in deep coma accompanied by acute renal failure after two day's hospitalization. Necropsy specimen revealed hepatic cell necrosis with coagulative and degenerative change. From the above results, it may be pointed out that the liver disorder in the present case occured in association with the DIC caused by the sauna bath. The present report discusses the clinical course, and pathogenesis of an acute hepatic failure and DIC. © 1979, The Japan Society of Hepatology. All rights reserved.