Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
levels also reported vision problems. Many reported no vision problems
after they recovered from the acute methanol poisoning. A total of 41
patients died, CNS effects were reported including headache and
dizziness. Nausea, vomiting, ophthalmic changes, and dyspnea were
also reported. In this 1953 report, sodium bicarbonate or sodium lactate
was given IV, and the results were dramatic with a rapid return of
plasma bicarbonate levels returning to normal with a return to con-
sciousness and lethargy and confusion disappearing. The visual symp-
toms were also relieved in most cases. The potential role of ethanol
treatment in methanol poisoning was also discussed, as an addition to
bicarbonate treatment.
Autopsies of fatal cases of methanol toxicity showed cerebral edema
with meningeal and subarachnniod petechiae, congestion of lungs,
epicardial hemorrhages, and general congestion of abdominal viscera.
The eyes from fatal cases showed degeneration of ganglion cells
(Bennett et al., 1953).
In 1962, a report of four cases of methanol poisoning were reported
following the drinking of duplicating fluid, which contained 40-60%
methanol (also 35-55% ethanol). One individual who drank 430ml of
this fluid (50% methanol) died a day and half later. The three other
individuals drank a reported 215, 145, and 70ml of fluid and reported
symptoms such as nausea, cramps, vomiting, headache, and blurred
vision. All recovered (Kaplan, 1962). It was interesting that the high
level of ethanol found in this duplicating fluid could have modified the
severity of the methanol effects.
In a study of four cases, who drank neat methanol, one women who
drank
50ml followed by about 60ml of neat methanol a day later died.
The other three who were reported to have drank 100ml of neat
methanol all survived (Erlanson et al., 1965).
In a single outbreak of methanol poisoning, 97 people were hospi-
talized of which 28 died (7.5 hours to 12 days after ingestion). The
latent period between consumption of methanol and the observations of
symptoms (CNS, shock, blurring of vision were 7.5-60 hours. Methanol
levels in the blood ranged from 158 to 420mg/l. In the patients that died
shrinkage and degeneration of neurons in the panetal cortex were seen
in most cases, putamental degeneration and necrosis, hemorrhage,
