14- METHANOL POISONING, CASE REPORTS AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Acute methanol poisoning produces severe metabolic acidosis, increased anion and osmolgaps. These metabolic disturbances are chiefly due to accumulation of formic acid which canlead to serious neurological sequelae. If renal dysfunction develops then rapid deterioration andincreased mortality can occur. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the morbidity andmortality. Treatment includes infusion of sodium bicarbonate and administration of ethanolparenterally or orally to inhibit the production of formic acid form methanol. Haemodialysis helpsthe removal of methanol and formic acid from circulation and also corrects the acidosis. Twocases of methanol poisoning are described. Both patients took a mixture of methanol andethanol in different amount with different outcomes.

Keywords

METHANOL