Citation

Kumar S, Reddy C, Prabhakar S. Indian J. Crit. Care Med. 2016; 20(12): 745-748.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine, Publisher Medknow Publications)

DOI

10.4103/0972-5229.195720

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

We present a case of acute-onset coma in a young woman, associated with metabolic acidosis, respiratory distress, and hypotension. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain done on day 2 of admission showed features of bilateral putaminal necrosis. History of methanol ingestion, though not forthcoming at admission, was confirmed later after the patient regained consciousness. A final diagnosis of methyl alcohol toxicity resulting in severe metabolic acidosis, coma, and bilateral blindness was made. This case is reported to emphasize the point that the finding of bilateral putaminal necrosis in a patient with coma and metabolic acidosis is virtually diagnostic of methyl alcohol toxicity even in the absence of any positive history. © 2016 Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; female; brain; case report; blindness; methanol; suicide attempt; coma; dopamine; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; emergency ward; creatine kinase; Glasgow coma scale; metabolic acidosis; methanol poisoning; Coma; uric acid; disease duration; respiratory distress; Article; unconsciousness; systolic blood pressure; comatose patient; uric acid blood level; creatine kinase blood level; papilledema; anion gap; pulse rate; arterial blood; hyperemia; brain necrosis; ventilated patient; bilateral putaminal necrosis; high anion gap; methanol toxicity; putaminal necrosis