[Systemic poisoning caused by percutaneous absorption of mineral spirit]

Owing to a car accident, the clothes of a injured joiner were permeated with a timber impregnating product containing 51.8% of mineral spirit (a mixture of naphthenes, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons). Despite a short-lasting skin exposure (approximately 40 minutes), dermal contact has caused full thickness burns that, in their turn, have made easier the percutaneous absorption and the storage of organic solvents in subcutaneous tissue depots. Twenty-four hours later, clinical findings of neurologic involvement have arisen, that have got worse when the peripheral tissue perfusion has got better by the adequate replacement of lost blood.