Acute Phosphate Nephropathy

Oral sodium phosphate (OSP) is frequently used in colonoscopy preparation for both cost and ease of use. Acute renal failure may occur due to these OSP- and sodium phosphate-containing enemas used in colonoscopy preparation. A 55-year-old female patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus and essential hypertension, known for 5 years, and normal renal function tests, underwent colonoscopy. For colonoscopy preparation, she used two OSP containing purgatives and sodium phosphate containing enema. The patient presented to the emergency service with a complaint of being unable to urinate 1 day after colonoscopy. Renal biopsy was performed and acute phosphate nephropathy wasreported. Chronic renal failure is a contraindication to the use of OSP. Old age, female sex, electrolyte imbalance and inappropriate use of OSP increase the acute phosphate nephropathy risk. Acute phosphate nephropathy should be kept in mind in patients who undergo colonoscopy, use OSP for the preparation, and present with impaired renal function.