[The osmolar gap and the diagnosis of severe alcohol intoxication].
The calculated osmolar gap is a useful diagnostic tool in clinical toxicology whenever toxicologic screens are not available. In a case of severe intoxication with ethyl alcohol there was deep coma and a calculated osmolar gap of 208 mOsm, consistent with an ethanol plasma level of 958 mg/dl. The diagnosis of severe ethanol intoxication was confirmed later. Serial calculations of the osmolar gap served to assess the clinical course.
Heyman
S N
SN
Dept. of Medicine, Hadassah-University Hospital, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem.
Eilam
O
O
Dinur
D
D
D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration
D000431:Ethanol