Peritoneal dialysis and lysol poisoning

Gas chromatographic determination of cresols in the biological fluids of a non-fatal case of cresol intoxication

A simple and rapid method for analysis of free and conjugated cresols in biological fluids was developed. Prior to and following freeing of the conjugated cresols by acid hydrolysis in a sealed ampoule, free cresols were extracted by Extrelut column extraction, determined by gas chromatography, and confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In a non-fatal case of cresol intoxication a 46-year-old male had ingested about 100 ml of a saponated cresol soap solution. The concentrations of xylenol (2,4- and/or 2,5-dimethylphenol) and p- and m-cresol in the serum sample collected on admission were 15.8 micrograms/g, 43.3 micrograms/g and 73.8 micrograms/g, respectively. The total cresol concentration of 117 micrograms/g in the serum is within the range of fatal concentrations, and it is suspected therefore that the patient's recovery was due to adequate therapy alone.

Poisoning by cresol

A man aged 32 years who was poisoned with cresol is reported. It is suggested that in the absence of evidence about haemoperfusion over charcoal, forced diuresis is the only effective means of removing cresols from the body. Artifical ventilation controls early respiratory failure, but the patient remains at risk from toxic damage to the myocardium and lungs.