Diagnostics and Treatment of Organic Solvents Poisoning
Organic solvents are a heterogeneous group of chemicals with different chemical structures which are usually used in the form of mixtures. They often contain toxic impurities or additives. Their toxicity depends on the solvent type and composition, as well as its route of administration and duration of exposure. During patient assessment, the physician has to consider the toxicity characteristics of the solvent, along with its physical and chemical properties. The diagnosis of organic solvents poisoning should be based on the patient’s medical history, clinical examination and basic laboratory findings. After oral exposure, the patient’s health may also be threatened by solvent aspiration. A proper differentiation between systemic toxicity and risk of solvent aspiration is crucial for choosing an appropriate method to decontaminate the gastrointestinal tract. In most cases of organic solvents poisoning, symptomatic treatment is sufficient. The article also presents triage recommendations for patients poisoned by an organic solvent.