Abstract
A 46-year-old woman intentionally ingested ethylene glycol and overdosed on paracetamol. She had clinical and laboratory features suggestive of ethylene glycol poisoning, and examination of the urine revealed calcium oxalate monohydrate, or ‘picket fence’, crystals. She responded well to therapy that included haemodialysis. Clinicians should be aware that these crystals appear late during the evolution of ethylene glycol poisoning and, along with other clinical and laboratory findings, should prompt the initiation of haemodialysis.
Highlights
A 46-year-old woman intentionally ingested ethylene glycol and overdosed on paracetamol
A 46-year-old woman with a history of depression presented to the emergency department (ED) 12 hours following an overdose of 25 g of paracetamol tablets and 500 mL of anti-freeze
The patient was started on 70% ethanol in 5% dextrose water via nasogastric tube over a 10-hour period, as well as N-acetylcysteine by intravenous infusion
Summary
A 46-year-old woman intentionally ingested ethylene glycol and overdosed on paracetamol. A 46-year-old woman with a history of depression presented to the emergency department (ED) 12 hours following an overdose of 25 g of paracetamol tablets and 500 mL of anti-freeze. Her random blood glucose was 13.2 mmol/L and a urine dipstick was negative for ketones. Arterial blood gas revealed metabolic acidosis with a pH of 7.13, bicarbonate of 10.4 mmol/L and a lactate concentration of 10.6 mmol/L.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
