Citation

Barnard E, Baladurai S, Badh T, Nicol E. J. R. Army Med. Corps 2013; 160(3): 245-250.

Affiliation

Emergency Department, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, Devon, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, UK Royal Army Medical Corps)

DOI

10.1136/jramc-2013-000117

PMID

24109107

Abstract

We present a series of patients with profound metabolic acidosis admitted to the Role 3 Medical Treatment Facility, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, in 2012. A police service breath alcohol analyser, calculation of the osmolar gap and urine microscopy assisted in diagnosing methanol poisoning. The challenge of diagnosing and managing toxic alcohol poisoning in this resource-limited setting is discussed. We believe this is the first description of using a breath alcohol analyser to assist a diagnosis of methanol poisoning.

Language: en