Ethylene glycol poisoning: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Background: Ethylene glycol (EG) poisoning is often caused by the accidental ingestion of antifreeze. EG is metabolized into glycolate and oxalate and may cause metabolic acidaemia, neurotoxicity, acute kidney injury, and death. A variety of EG poisoning case reports have been published, and we wrote this case report and literature review to summarize the clinical experience of patients who survived EG poisoning.

Case summary: In this case report, a 55-year-old man developed EG poisoning after ingesting antifreeze by accident and experienced acute kidney injury, nervous system dysfunction and inhalation pneumonia. The timely use of ethanol for detoxification, initiation of haemodialysis, and protection of organ function are effective treatment methods for patients with antifreeze poisoning. The patient was discharged in the 3rd week after admission. When discharged, the patient did not report any discomfort, had stable vital signs, did not have fever or diarrhoea, and had improved liver and kidney functions.

Conclusion: A timely diagnosis, haemodialysis, and organ protection are the keys to the successful treatment of poisoned patients.

Keywords: Case report; Emergency and critical medicine; Ethylene glycol poisoning; Extracorporeal treatments; Haemodialysis; Mechanical ventilation.

Figure 1

Timeline of events and findings.

Figure 2

Patient’s bedside chest X-ray on the second day after admission to the intensive care unit. A bedside chest X-ray revealed scattered exudation in both lower lungs.