Background: Methyl alcohol poisoning is an extremely hazardous poisoning commonly occurs via oral ingestion of illicit or adulterated liquors or as ethanol substitution. Toxicity results in gastrointestinal manifestations, metabolic acidosis, neurologic squeal, and even death. Early management with bicarbonate, ethanol and hemodialysis in patients having significant toxicity will decrease mortality and improves patient's outcome.

Materials and Methods: A case report of 15 patients admitted in King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam with history of intake of illicit liquor with progressive high anionic gap metabolic acidosis, altered sensorium and visual symptoms which improved with treatment with bicarbonate and hemodialysis.

Results: Out of 15 patients admitted, 12 patients had metabolic acidosis and treated with bicarbonate. Two patients improved with bicarbonate treatment and eight patients underwent hemodialysis for the improvement of symptoms. Two patients with hypotension and altered sensorium could not be recovered and expired.

Conclusion: Methanol exposure is an acute poisoning in which toxicity is due to metabolites like formate, which is the primary reason for acidosis. Diagnosis is based on suspicion of ingestion of illicit liquor, the presence of visual disturbances, metabolic acidosis with elevated anion and osmolar gaps. Treatment with bicarbonate and hemodialysis significantly improves the mortality and morbidity.

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Dr Bethanapalli Mounika

Post Graduate, Department of General Medicine