Methanol (wood Alcohol) Toxicity

Your Path

  • Methanol (wood alcohol) Toxicity

Etiology

  • Contained in wind shield wiper fluid, anti-freeze, fuel additives, paint thinners
  • Consumed inadvertently by child or w/intent to harm self/others, very toxic

Symptoms

  • N
  • V
  • Confusion
  • Resp depression
  • Death
  • Blindness
  • Initially can appear inebriated
  • Long term neruo deficits
  • Osmolar gap and later met acidosis

Physical Exam Findings

  • Initially inebriated
  • Later can have tachypnea from met acidosis, visual disturbance, then somnolence, multi-sytem failure

Tests