Acute Methylalcohol Intoxication

Overview

The author presents a literature review concerning methylalcohol intoxications, which belong to the prognostically most seriousones and are still associated with a high mortality. Early determination of diagnosis, which must be based on history data on theingestion of methylalcohol, on the findings of rapidly developing metabolic acidosis and serumhyperosmolality, is of decisiveimportance for the prognosis of the patients. The treatment by continual administration of ethylalcohol and by haemodialysis arethe most important measures. Early initiation of these therapeutic procedures significantly improves the prognosis of the patients.

Key words:
methylalkohol, ethylalcohol, haemodialysis, 4-methyl-pyrazol, metabolic acidosis, hyperosmolality