Journal of Korean Medical Science

Korean Acad Medical Sciences (대한의학회)
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Neurological Complications Resulting from Non-Oral Occupational Methanol Poisoning

  • Choi, Ji-Hyun (Department of Neurology, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Seung Keun (Department of Neurology, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital) ;
  • Gil, Young-Eun (Department of Neurology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Ajou University Hospital) ;
  • Ryu, Jia (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital) ;
  • Jung-Choi, Kyunghee (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Hyunjoo (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital) ;
  • Choi, Jun Young (Department of Neurology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Ajou University Hospital) ;
  • Park, Sun Ah (Department of Neurology, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Hyang Woon (Department of Neurology, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital) ;
  • Yun, Ji Young (Department of Neurology, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital)
  • Received : 2016.08.01
  • Accepted : 2016.11.19
  • Published : 2017.02.10
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Abstract

Methanol poisoning results in neurological complications including visual disturbances, bilateral putaminal hemorrhagic necrosis, parkinsonism, cerebral edema, coma, or seizures. Almost all reported cases of methanol poisoning are caused by oral ingestion of methanol. However, recently there was an outbreak of methanol poisoning via non-oral exposure that resulted in severe neurological complications to a few workers at industrial sites in Korea. We present 3 patients who had severe neurological complications resulting from non-oral occupational methanol poisoning. Even though initial metabolic acidosis and mental changes were improved with hemodialysis, all of the 3 patients presented optic atrophy and ataxia or parkinsonism as neurological complications resulting from methanol poisoning. In order to manage it adequately, as well as to prevent it, physicians should recognize that methanol poisoning by non-oral exposure can cause neurologic complications.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : Ewha Womans University College of Medicine

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