Secondary oxalosis as a complication of parenteral alimentation in acute renal failure

Secondary oxalosis is a complication of renal failure. Since oxalate is excreted by the kidney, the severity of oxalate deposition has been directly related to the duration of renal failure. We report a patient with acute renal failure on hemodialysis who received daily ascorbic acid (an oxalate precursor) via parenteral alimentation. He developed widespread secondary oxalosis, which was especially prominent in the kidneys and pancreas. This oxalate burden may have contributed to the complications seen during his hospital course. The provision of ascorbic acid to patients with renal failure should be carefully monitored to avoid accelerated development of secondary oxalosis.