Acute abdominal pain caused by lead poisoning

This case report describes a 55-year-old man, who was admitted to hospital with acute abdominal pain. The only positive finding was elevated levels of bilirubin and alanine transaminase and dilation of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Due to the nature of the abdominal pain acute porphyria was suspected. A urinalysis for porphyria indicated intoxication with a heavy metal, in this case lead. Lead poisoning is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain, and in this case further work-up was left for the occupational health specialists, who have experience in metal intoxication.