Description
Whilst ethanol is often implicated in self-poisoning,
cases involving methanol, isopropanol and / or ethylene glycol
are much rarer. Although ingestion of these alcohols and
glycols can be fatal if not recognised and treated promptly, few
laboratories have the resources necessary to detect their
presence within a four-hour turnaround time. This article
briefly discusses the metabolism and the direct and indirect
detection of alcohols and glycols in cases of self-poisoning and
then indicates how such cases of self-poisoning may be
treated.
