Krista Tenerelli¹, Alexander Nagourney¹, Jason Chang² and Forshing Lui MD¹*

¹Department of Neuroscience, California North state University, College of Medicine, Elk Grove CA, USA
²Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA

*Corresponding Author: Forshing Lui MD, Department of Neuroscience, California North state University, College of Medicine, Elk Grove CA, USA.

Received: July 05,2022; Published: August 10, 2022

Abstract

This case illustrates a classic presentation of methanol poisoning with its associated radiologic and clinical manifestations. It also provides a comparison with another toxic alcohol, ethylene glycol, highlighting the similarities and the importance of rapid diagnosis to prevent devastating long-term consequences. The patient presented to Kaiser-Permanente South Sacramento with signs and symptoms of methanol poisoning. Clinical and imaging findings included severe metabolic acidosis and altered mental status that progressed to coma and bilateral lesions of the putamen on MRI, characteristic of methanol poisoning [1]. Upon awakening from the coma the patient was noted to have abulia, psychomotor slowing, and decreased executive functioning. Neurologic consultation was obtained on hospital day 11. Patient was followed and demonstrated gradual improvement in neurologic function that continued until the time of discharge. This clinical picture is very similar to that associated with ethylene glycol poisoning that can also present with altered mental status, severe metabolic acidosis and bilateral lesions of the putamen. This report provides a direct comparison of methanol and ethylene glycol toxicity including clinical and imaging findings. The case shows that methanol poisoning can cause short-term and long-term morbidity, but prompt recognition and treatment can lead to meaningful recovery.

Keywords: Case Report; Methanol Poisoning; Ethylene Glycol

References

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Citation

Citation: Forshing Lui MD., et al. “Case Report - Early Recognition of Methanol Poisoning". Acta Scientific Neurology 5.9 (2022): 15-18.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2022 Forshing Lui MD., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.