Is osmol gap an effective screen in accurate prediction of toxic volatiles?

Abstract

A review of the literature was done to determine the number of studies published on the osmol gap. We wanted to examine whether these studies were able to establish a consensus on the formula to be used, the appropriate reference interval to be used and finally the performance of the osmol gap in its ability as a screening test for toxic volatile substance. Our study was disappointing since no published literature exists to allow the clinical laboratory to use the osmol gap based on evidenced based studies.