Ethylene Glycol Intoxication
Ethylene glycol intoxications are quite rare. The toxicity of ethylene glycol is largely related to its metabolites rather than the parent compound itself. Our case report represents the typical clinical findings (neurological, cardiopulmonary and renal phase) and laboratory results (elevated serum osmolality, high osmolal gap, high anion gap metabolic acidosis, calcium oxalate crystals in the urine) of an ethylene glycol intoxication. Given the potentially high morbidity and mortality of this intoxication, its quick recognition is essential. Treatment includes securing the patient’s airway, breathing and circulation, administering bicarbonate and an antidote (ethanol, fomepizole), hemodialysis, and sometimes also the administration of cofactors of ethylene glycol metabolism (thiamine, pyridoxine, and magnesium).