Severe hypercalcemia and polyuria in a near-drowning victim.

A 73-year-old man was admitted because of near-drowning in a hot springs bath. Transient severe hypercalcemia and polyuria were seen during the first hospital day. It seemed that the hypercalcemia was due to acute intoxication from calcium contained in the water of the spring absorbed mainly through the alveoli. To our knowledge, this is the first case of acute hypercalcemia complicating a near-drowning in a hot spring. Analysis of serum and urine electrolytes during the polyuric phase revealed saline diuresis, which was probably due to interference by the hypercalcemia of the reabsorption of sodium and free water.