Acute oral selenium intoxication with ten times the lethal dose resulting in deep gastric ulcer

A 48-year-old woman presented after taking 2000 mg of selenium dioxide, corresponding to 10 times the experimental lethal dose in animals. She presented with mildly altered consciousness and hematemesis. Endoscopy revealed mucosal damage throughout the oral cavity, esophagus, and stomach. There was no evidence of perforation. After intubation and gastric lavage, hemodialysis was performed. The patient was discharged uneventfully on the 16(th) day. This case highlights a very rare acute selenium intoxication. Serum and urinary selenium levels and serum glutathione peroxidase activities during the patient's course were followed, as well as the mucosal corrosive damage caused by the selenium.