The Diagnosis and Management of Toxic Alcohol Poisoning in the Emergency Department: A Review Article

A case of a patient requiring medically supervised withdrawal after ingestion of witch hazel toner as a surrogate alcohol

Key Clinical Message

Standardized alcohol withdrawal treatments, such as the phenobarbital taper protocol, are effective in the management of alcohol withdrawal syndromes associated with surrogate alcohols including witch hazel toner.

Abstract

Ingestion of alcohol not intended for consumption, also known as surrogate alcohols, is well-documented in patients with alcohol use disorder. Ingestion of surrogate alcohols may lead to higher morbidity and mortality than standard alcohol consumption alone. However, management of complications such as withdrawal syndromes in individuals consuming surrogate alcohols has received little attention in the literature. We present the case of a patient with alcohol use disorder who required medically supervised withdrawal following ingestion of witch hazel toner as a surrogate alcohol. Review of patient's history revealed routine ingestion of witch hazel toner as a substitute to traditional alcohols. Witch hazel toner is a non-FDA regulated product designed for topical use; it is commonly sold in a steam distilled formulation containing 13%-15% ethanol and small amounts of essential oil components, such as carvacrol and eugenol. During hospitalization the patient received treatment of alcohol withdrawal with a phenobarbital taper protocol and was discharged in stable condition. He also received resources for alcohol use disorder to follow-up in the outpatient setting. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of a patient requiring medically supervised withdrawal following ingestion of witch hazel toner and sheds light on the potential complications and management of patients who present following ingestion.

Methanol Induced Optic Neuropathy: Molecular Mysteries, Public Health Perspective, Clinical Insights and Treatment Strategies

Methanol-induced optic neuropathy (MION) represents a critical public health issue, particularly prevalent in lower socioeconomic populations and regions with restricted alcohol access. MION, characterized by irreversible visual impairment, arises from the toxic metabolization of methanol into formaldehyde and formic acid, leading to mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation inhibition, oxidative stress, and subsequent neurotoxicity. The pathogenesis involves axonal and glial cell degeneration within the optic nerve and potential retinal damage. Despite advancements in therapeutic interventions, a significant proportion of affected individuals endure persistent visual sequelae. The study comprehensively investigates the pathophysiology of MION, encompassing the absorption and metabolism of methanol, subsequent systemic effects, and ocular impacts. Histopathological changes, including alterations in retinal layers and proteins, Müller cell dysfunction, and visual symptoms, are meticulously examined to provide insights into the disease mechanism. Furthermore, preventive measures and public health perspectives are discussed to highlight the importance of awareness and intervention strategies. Therapeutic approaches, such as decontamination procedures, ethanol and fomepizole administration, hemodialysis, intravenous fluids, electrolyte balance management, nutritional therapy, corticosteroid therapy, and erythropoietin (EPO) treatment, are evaluated for their efficacy in managing MION. This comprehensive review underscores the need for increased awareness, improved diagnostic strategies, and more effective treatments to mitigate the impact of MION on global health.

Avicenna's clinical toxicology approach and beneficial materia medica against oral poisoning

Considering the rich background of Persian Medicine in the use of materia medica for the treatment of diseases, the huge burden of oral poisonings in the world, and the urgent need to find scientific solutions, the purpose of this study was to determine Avicenna's approach toward clinical toxicology and his proposed treatments for oral poisonings. In Al-Qanun Fi Al-Tibb, Avicenna addressed the materia medica for the treatments of oral poisonings after explaining the ingestion of different toxins and also elucidating the clinical toxicology approach toward poisoned patients. These materia medica were from different classes including emetics, purgatives, enemas, diaphoretics, antidiarrheals, inhaled drugs, sternutators, anticoagulants, antiepileptics, antitussives, diuretics, cooling drugs, stimulants, cardiotonic drugs, and heating oils. By applying different therapies, Avicenna endeavored to attain main goals in clinical toxicology that are comparable with modern medicine. They included removing the toxins from the body, decreasing the severity of the deleterious effects of toxins on the body, and counteracting the effects of toxins inside the body. Aside from introducing different therapeutic agents that played an important role in the treatment of oral poisonings, he emphasized the ameliorating effects of nutritive foods and beverages. Further research using other Persian medical resources is recommended to elucidate the applicable approaches and treatments for different poisonings.

Methanol Intoxication-Associated Brain Hemorrhages: Can Early Detection Be Life-Saving? A Case Report

BACKGROUND Methanol can cause many acute complications when ingested, either intentionally or accidentally. One rare complication is cerebral hemorrhage, which can present with focal neurologic deficits, decreased consciousness, and fixed, dilated pupils. With vigilant monitoring of patients in the acute period of toxicity, rapid identification, and initiation of treatment, outcomes can potentially be improved in these patients. CASE REPORT We present a case of a 42-year-old man who presented after ingestion of windshield wiper fluid. Initial symptoms started with fatigue and altered mental status, but he quickly developed abdominal pain and became obtunded. CT initially showed no acute hemorrhage or other pathology, but on day 2, despite receiving fomepizole, bicarbonate, and dialysis, the patient became hypotensive and showed loss of cranial nerve reflexes, and repeated CT head scans showed acute intracranial hemorrhage with mass effect. CONCLUSIONS Although the exact mechanism of intracranial hemorrhage and necrosis following methanol intoxication remains uncertain, we know beyond doubt that it can progress rapidly and lead to severe and irreversible complications, so identifying and treating it immediately is essential. In this case, methanol ingestion was known on presentation, antidote and renal replacement therapy were initiated within hours of ingestion, yet our patient still suffered fatal brain hemorrhage. Important warning signs of acute hemorrhage include loss of cranial nerve reflexes and decrease in consciousness, so these findings warrant further evaluation and prompt neuroimaging, especially in high-risk patients like the one in this report.

Toxic alcohol poisoning characteristics and treatments from 2000 to 2017 at a United States regional poison center

BACKGROUND

Toxic alcohol exposures are an ongoing concern in the United States. In the US, few studies characterize the local epidemiology of toxic alcohols over time.

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to examine the incidence of toxic alcohol ingestions and changes in management over time.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study evaluates toxic alcohol ingestion phone calls to a regional poison center in the United States covering four states. Data were queried for this poison center from the National Poison Data System (NPDS) using generic codes for each toxic alcohol. Inclusion criteria were ingestion of toxic alcohol, age ≥ 13 years, from January 1, 2000 to Dec 31, 2017. Exclusion criteria were unrelated effects coded in the medical outcome, duplicate data, or incomplete demographic data.

RESULTS

Of 926 subjects (adults and teenagers), 71.5% were male, and the mean age was 34.5 years. Toxic alcohol ingestion was more common in individuals younger than 40 years, with a significant relationship between age and intentional abuse or misuse (p = 0.001). There was also a significant relationship between age and reason for ingestion, with younger patients more likely to be suicidal (p < 0.001). Ethyleneglycol was the most common toxic alcohol. There was no change in the incidence of toxic alcohol ingestions over the study period. The mortality rate was 1.7%, and 31.2%of patients were hospitalized in a critical care unit. Major effects and death were more common in younger patients (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in medical outcomes based on the type of toxic alcohol(p = 0.03). Fomepizole was the most common treatment. A Poisson regression model found no change in fomepizole use during the study period (p = 0.1). Ethanol administration over the study period increased (p = 0.02), while hemodialysis decreased (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Data obtained from a single regional United States poison center showed low mortality related to toxic alcohol ingestions. The most prevalent toxic alcohol was Ethylene glycol. In all cases, toxic alcohol ingestion was higher in the 20-29-year-old age group. Reasons for ingestion, in most cases, were suicidal. Fomepizole was the most common treatment, ethanol administration as an antidote is rising, and hemodialysis utilization is decreasing. Data may not be nationally representative.

Current View on the Mechanisms of Alcohol-Mediated Toxicity

Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that is widely used and, unfortunately, often abused. In addition to acute effects such as intoxication, it may cause many chronic pathological conditions. Some of the effects are very well described and explained, but there are still gaps in the explanation of empirically co-founded dysfunction in many alcohol-related conditions. This work focuses on reviewing actual knowledge about the toxic effects of ethanol and its degradation products.

Metabolic acidosis due to ingestion of lanthanum sulfates and chlorides in cetyl alcohol solution pool cleaner

Cetyl Alcohol is a rare cause of acidosis if ingested in large quantities. Hyponatremia with overlapping anion gap and osmolal gap-positive metabolic acidosis may appear to have iso-osmolar serum. This is a case of an unusual toxic exposure.

Ethylene glycol poisoning: A diagnostic challenge in a patient with persistent seizures and a severe metabolic acidosis

Introduction

Due to the nationwide lockdown to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and subsequent alcohol ban in South Africa, several cases of toxic alcohol ingestion presented to our emergency unit. Many of these patients admitted to making home brews of alcohol while others simply use industrial toxic alcohols. The diagnosis of these poisonings is challenging as direct assays are not available in our setting.

Case report

We present a case of presumed ethylene glycol poisoning that presented with persistent seizures and a high anion gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA).

Discussion

A high index of suspicion for toxic alcohol poisoning should be maintained in patients presenting with an altered mental status, seizures and a HAGMA. Indirect markers such as clinical features and laboratory results can lead to the diagnosis when direct assays are unavailable.

Toxic Alcohol Ingestion: A Case Report and Review of Management Pathways

Toxic alcohol ingestion can be fatal or produce irreversible tissue damage and hence timely recognition and treatment are very important. The physician has to often rely on clinical features and different lab values in order to derive the possible causative agent consumed. Gas chromatography is the definitive diagnostic test to detect the toxic alcohol but is unfortunately not available to run in house in most hospital laboratories in the acute clinical setting. We present a 41-year-old gentleman who was brought to the ED for further evaluation of vomiting and upper abdominal pain. Our clinical impression was that the patient had possible mixed toxic alcohol ingestion. General principles and treatment of alcohol intoxication include gastric lavage or use of activated charcoal. Administration of ethanol or fomepizole to delay or prevent generation of toxic metabolites needs to be initiated while sufficient alcohol remains and metabolized and measurement of blood alcohol concentrations and/or serum osmolality can be helpful. Dialysis is helpful in removing unmetabolized alcohol and possibly toxic metabolites and delivering base to patients to ameliorate metabolic acidosis.