Abstract

Traditionally, ingestion of alcohol-based hand rub solution results in isopropanol poisoning, which has a low toxicity. We describe a case of combined methanol and isopropanol intoxication by ingestion of alcohol-based hand rub solution. Metabolic acidosis was absent in our patient, presumably because formic acid production is blocked by isopropanol, which inhibits alcohol dehydrogenase. Our case highlights the importance of considering methanol intoxication in patients who ingested alcohol-based hand rub solution, even when there is no metabolic acidosis, and timely removal of the toxic alcohols by dialysis in these patients would prevent permanent retinal damage.


Author Details

Authors

• Gordon Chun-Kau Chan¹
• Jones Chun-Man Chan²
• Cheuk-Chun Szeto¹
• Kai-Ming Chow¹

Departments

• ¹ Carol, Richard Yu Peritoneal Dialysis Research Center,
• ² Poison Treatment Centre, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China

Address

Dr. Cheuk-Chun Szeto, MD, FRCP

Department of Medicine & Therapeutics
Prince of Wales Hospital
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China

Email: [email protected]

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