The West Virginia medical journal
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Ethylene glycol (EG) and methanol (MTH) are common industrial solvents and are responsible for accidental, suicidal, and epidemic poisonings.1 Since the clinical signs and symptoms associated with EG and MTH poisoning are nonspecific, it is important for the medical community to consider these toxicities given that early treatment prevents death.2 The hallmark of toxic alcohol poisoning is a combination of a high anion gap metabolic acidosis and osmolar gap.3 In order to determine laboratory abnormalities and outcomes associated with EG and MTH ingestion at our institution, a retrospective chart review was obtained. ⋯ Most patients with EG and MTH intoxication have a decreased level of consciousness making an adequate history unobtainable. One must rely on laboratory data for clues in making a diagnosis of intoxication. A review of the clinical features, pharmacokinetics, laboratory analysis, and management of EG and MTH poisoning is included in this discussion to help raise medical community awareness of this entity.