Ethylene glycol, a common antifreeze, coolant and industrial solvent, is responsible for many instances of accidental and intentional poisoning annually. Following ingestion, ethylene glycol is first hepatically metabolised to glycoaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase. Glycoaldehyde is then oxidised to glycolic acid, glyoxylic acid and finally oxalic acid. While ethylene glycol itself causes intox...

BACKGROUND Intoxication with ethylene glycol happen all around the world and without rapid recognition and early treatment, mortality from this is high. METHODS In our study, we retrospectively analysed six cases of ethylene glycol intoxication in our department. We measured ethylene glycol or glycolate levels, lactate levels and calculated the osmolal and anion gap. RESULTS Data from six p...

We report the case of a patient suspected of voluntary massive poisoning by ethylene glycol. Prehospital diagnosis was established by portable blood analyser and an early antidote with 4 MP treatment initiated in out-of-hospital setting. Use of portable blood analyser in prehospital care should be considered in case of suspected massive poisoning by ethylene glycol.

although antidote development should proceed in an orderly fashion from observation, to experimental and safety studies, to clinical trials, this sequence is not always precisely followed. the development of fomepizole as an antidote for toxic alcohol and glycol poisoning is an example of how this may not be the case. interest in the development of fomepizole was spurred in the 1960s. shortly t...

1. Oxalate crystals may occur in the CSF with ethylene glycol poisoning or primary hyperoxaluria type 1. Ethylene glycol is metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase to form glycolic and oxalic acids. 2. Serum electrolytes and osmolality can be measured, and the anion and osmolar gaps can be calculated. Ethylene glycol poisoning is associated with an increased osmolar gap and increased anion gap met...

Ethylene glycol is a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting but poisonous type of alcohol found in many household products. The major use of ethylene glycol is as an antifreeze in, for example, automobiles, in air conditioning systems, in de-icing fluid for windshields, and else. People sometimes drink ethylene glycol mistakenly or on purpose as a substitute for alcohol. Ethylene glycol is toxic, a...

Although an uncommon cause of death in Great Britain, ethylene glycol poisoning is potentially serious in that renal and cardiopulmonary failure and central nervous system dysfunction can occur when doses of the order of 100 ml or more are ingested. A case is described in which a child who swallowed approximately 100 ml of ethylene glycol was treated by prolonged peritoneal dialysis. In additio...

INTRODUCTION The use and clinical efficacy of the alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor fomepizole is well established for the treatment of ethylene glycol and methanol poisonings in adults. METHODS A computerized search of the U.S. National Academy of medicine and EMBase databases was undertaken to identify published cases of patients treated with fomepizole. This search strategy identified 14 pub...

Ethylene glycol poisoning is a rare yet potentially fatal illness seen most commonly in association with ingestion by alcoholics or in suicide attempts. It is characterized by an elevated anion gap metabolic acidosis, osmolal gap, calcium oxalate crystals in the urine, and a well-defined clinical picture. Prompt treatment is crucial because effective intervention can prevent the neurologic, car...

Ethylene glycol is a widely used and readily available substance. Ethylene glycol ingestion does not cause direct toxicity; however, its metabolites are highly toxic and can be fatal even in trace amounts. Poisoning is best diagnosed through inquiry, but as an impaired state of consciousness is observed in most cases, poisoning must be suspected when a significantly elevated osmolar gap or high...