Fulminant ascending paralysis as a delayed sequela of diethylene glycol (Sterno) ingestion.
The authors report a 57-year-old man who survived 18 days after swallowing an 8-oz. can of Sterno in a suicide attempt. Two days after ingestion, he developed confusion and acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis, followed on day 8 by a delayed but rapidly evolving ascending paralysis. Pathologic examination showed severe demyelination, with lesser axonal damage, of virtually all cranial and peripheral nerves sampled and sparing of central myelin. The diethylene glycol in the Sterno was considered responsible for this intoxication.
Rollins
Y D
YD
Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO 80262, USA.
Filley
C M
CM
McNutt
J T
JT
Chahal
S
S
Kleinschmidt-DeMasters
B K
BK
D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000139:chemically induced; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000506:poisoning*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010243:Paralysis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D013405:Suicide
D005026:Ethylene Glycols; C013484:diethylene glycol