Ethylene glycol poisoning: diagnosis based on high osmolal and anion gaps and crystalluria.
We report a case of ethylene glycol poisoning in a 54-year-old man found comatose on the street. No history was available. The diagnosis was based on the findings of a high anion gap metabolic acidosis, a high osmolal gap, and the presence of oxalate and hippurate crystals in the urine. The diagnosis was confirmed later by an ethylene glycol level of 775 mg/dl. This case illustrates how these parameters can be used in the emergency department for rapid diagnosis and management.
D000141:Acidosis, Renal Tubular / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D003128:Coma / Q000139:chemically induced; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000506:poisoning*; D006626:Hippurates / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010070:Oxalates / Q000652:urine; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000139:chemically induced*
D005026:Ethylene Glycols; D006626:Hippurates; D010070:Oxalates