Early Hemodialysis Outcome in Methanol Poisoning, Tripoli, Libya

Abstract

Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a commonly used organic solvent that, because of its toxicity, can cause
metabolic acidosis, neurologic squeal, visual disturbance and even death when ingested.
The current study was aimed to describe the presenting symptoms of methanol poisoning and to assess the effect of
early hemodialysis on the outcome of methanol poisoned patients.
This research depends on a descriptive study using a case series report done by collecting data from the medical
reports of methanol poisoned patients who had presented and admitted in Tripoli Medical Center (TMC).
This study includes 88 methanol poisoned patients in different age group, the youngest was18 years old and the oldest
was 56 years old, the mean of age was 29 years.
The number of male patients was more than that of females, 86 (97%) versus 2 (2.3%) respectively.
The first most common presenting symptom was gastrointestinal upset which reported in 30 (34.1%) cases. The
second most common presenting symptom was dizziness occurred in 21 (23.9) cases.
Other presenting symptoms were visual disturbance, dyspnea and others like cough and wheezing which occurred in
14 (15.9%), 12 (13.6%) and 11 (12.5%) respectively.
Hemodialysis was done early (within 24 hours) for severely ill patients (those who had PH less than 7.1 and
bicarbonate concentration less than 5 mmol/l).
Accordingly 28 (31.8%) cases underwent hemodialysis. The outcome of 28 patients who underwent hemodialysis
was as the following: 18 (64%) cases were survived and 10 (36%) cases were died.
The most common presenting symptoms in methanol poisoning patients are gastrointestinal upset, dizziness and
visual disturbance.
Early hemodialysis in severely ill methanol poisoned patients increase the survival and improve the outcome.