methyl alcohol poisoning


methyl alcohol poisoning

Intoxication with methanol (methyl alcohol). The initial primary consequences are depression of central nervous system function (including coma or convulsions), visual disturbances (including permanent blindness) caused by the concentration of the toxin in the vitreous humor and optic nerve, headache, abdominal cramping, nausea, weakness, and an anion-gap metabolic acidosis.

Treatment

Fluids and electrolyte and acid-base balance should be carefully monitored and adjusted. Methanol may be removed from the bloodstream by hemodialysis.

See also: poisoning