title: [Differential diagnostics of stomach contents showing blue discoloration].
abstract: A 42-year-old man evidently had died from an intoxication. On the basis of the findings at scene it was primarily assumed that the man had ingested a larger quantity of an ethylene glycol-containing antifreeze for suicidal purposes. The man was said to have had an alcohol problem and did not only consume drinking alcohol, but also other alcoholic liquids. At autopsy, a bluish liquid with an aromatic smell was found in the oesophagus and stomach. However, toxicological analyses did not furnish evidence of ethylene glycol--as expected--but a potentially fatal concentration of ethanol (blood alcohol concentration 4.01 per mille). The blue colour (patent blue C.I.42051) came from a liquid used in the wind-screen washer system in winter, which now contains ethanol (denatured with 2-butanone) instead of ethylene glycol. The results of the toxicological findings including the analysis of congener alcohols and the differential diagnostics of blue-coloured stomach contents are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Aus dem Institut für Rechtsmedizin der Universität Freiburg/Br.
authors.forename: Hadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nadjem
authors.forename: Markus Grosse
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Perdekamp
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Auwärter
authors.forename: Pollak
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stefan
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thierauf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000473:pathology*; D001344:Autopsy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019855:Ethylene Glycol / Q000506:poisoning; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents / Q000737:chemistry*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010858:Pigmentation; D013405:Suicide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
chemical_list: D019855:Ethylene Glycol