Manganese Intoxication Induced by Total Parenteral Nutrition in the Intensive Care Unit: A Case Report

Background: Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element for humans. It has been recognized as a potential occupational toxin, but its danger as a toxin in patients under parenteral nutrition is often forgotten. Case Presentation: A 73-year-old man was logged for 210 days in the intensive care unit (ICU), receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) for a month, and was then transferred, first, to the internal medicine ward and, then, to the rehabilitation hospital, and 223 days after discharge from the ICU, he had current disease, chorea-type movements in the head and neck, and left hemibody. Diagnostic tests: The magnetic resonance imaging findings suggested manganese deposits, with a total blood manganese concentration of 34 µg·L−1 (reference range: less than 13 µg·L−1). Discussion: Abnormal movements can be caused by manganese poisoning due to parenteral nutrition and are associated with liver failure in the ICU. Our patient showed toxic Mn concentrations in whole blood after 31 days of receiving 300 μg·d−1 of Mn in PN, a shorter duration than typically reported. Neurotoxicity was observed several months later (223 days). Factors such as liver dysfunction and iron deficiency can modulate neurotoxicity. Age may also be a susceptibility factor due to increased expression of Mn transport proteins. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) intensity in the globus pallidus is useful for detecting brain Mn accumulation, but it is not feasible for routine clinical practice. Conclusions: In this case, choreiform movements were attributed to manganese (Mn) accumulation in the basal ganglia. It is essential to monitor patients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions containing Mn, especially in those who have biomarkers of susceptibility, even if they have not yet shown neurological signs, and routinely measure whole-blood Mn concentrations, iron levels, age, and liver function. If Mn intoxication is suspected, a brain MRI examination should be conducted.