[The CNS damage due to methanol poisoning in the case of 23-year-old male patient addicted to organic solvents]

Przegl Lek. 2005;62(6):511-3.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

The aim of this study is the presentation of the case of acute methanol inhalation poisoning and CSN damage connected with this incidence. 23-years old male patient addicted to organic solvents for 5 years was admitted to the Toxicological Unit because of suspicion of organic solvents poisoning. In the case history the patient was exposed to organic solvents in the admission day, he denied drinking alcohol in last time. Phenol and TCA were not confirmed in the toxicological urine analysis. Because of marked metabolic acidosis which was present in the moment of admission subsequental toxicological investigations were conducted. The 0.23 g/l of methanol in blood was revealed. The vision loss was observed in the first day of hospitalization, up to total blind in the third day. Signs of toxic optic nerves neuropathy was revealed in ophthalmological examination. Brain perfusion disturbances in frontal and basal ganglia region was found in the brain perfusion scintigraphy examination. In the 6 month follow up outpatient observation, the partial vision recover was noted. The normalisation of frontal brain perfusion in the perfusion scintigraphy was found. Until now, there is no explanation the route of methanol intoxication--it could be suspect, that the solvents inhaled by patient were contaminated with methyl alcohol.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Acidosis / chemically induced
  • Adult
  • Blindness / chemically induced*
  • Blindness / therapy
  • Humans
  • Inhalation
  • Male
  • Methanol / poisoning*
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / therapy
  • Solvents / poisoning*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications
  • Time Factors
  • Vision, Low / chemically induced
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • Solvents
  • Methanol