A rare presentation of methanol toxicity

Abstract

Methanol is a highly toxic alcohol resembling ethanol in smell and taste. Methanol poisoning is a lethal form of poisoning that can cause severe metabolic acidosis, visual disturbances, and neurological deficit. Brain lesions typically described in methanol toxicity are in the form of hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic necrosis of the basal ganglia and sub-cortical white matter. To our knowledge, lesions in the parietal, temporal, or frontal areas of cerebrum and cerebellar hemispheres have been rarely reported so far. We herewith report this rare presentation.

Visual evoked potentials in patients after methanol poisoning

“…The abnormal VEP was found in the case of 2 of them. In the case described by Gupta [16], an asymmetrical wave P1 latency prolongation was observed. Thus, our findings are in agreement with those described in the literature.…”

Methanol induced stroke: report of cases occurring simultaneously in two biological brothers

“…Less commonly, however, patients with methanol toxicity may present with many complications like high anion gap, metabolic acidosis, acute kidney injury, visual disturbances, and neurologic deficit [7,11] as seen in the two cases presented. Generally, cases of methanol toxicity with brain lesions are more likely to be in those that are severely poisoned and are more likely to have acidosis on admission compared with those without CNS complications [11].…”

“…Methanol is a clear, colorless highly toxic solvent with a smell and taste similar to that of ethanol. It is commonly used in anti-freeze solutions, varnishes, paint, and fuel [7]. It is perceived as an alternative to ethanol in societies where sales of ethanol or its consumption is unquestionably forbidden and illegal.…”

“…Classically, a latent period of 12 to 24 hours often follows methanol consumption [8,9]. The interval between the ingestion and the appearance of symptoms, which correlated with the volume of methanol ingested [10], has been partly attributed to the time it takes for the formation of formaldehyde and formic acid which are the toxic metabolites from methanol and partly ascribed to the time lag between methanol ingestion and clinical manifestation [7,11].…”

An interesting case of characteristic methanol toxicity through inhalational exposure

“…Putaminal necrosis and hemorrhage is probably due to toxicity caused by of methanol metabolites and metabolic acidosis. [ 8 9 10 ] High metabolic rates of basal ganglia and optic nerves may also be a predisposing factor for ischemia and necrosis. Putaminal necrosis on MRI is not specific for methanol poisoning.…”