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Updated: May 20, 2026
05:03
Brain Death Induction in Mice Using Intra-Arterial Blood Pressure Monitoring and Ventilation via Tracheostomy
Published on: April 17, 2020
Brake fluid toxicity feigning brain death.
Shahpar Nahrir1, Shobhit Sinha, Khurram A Siddiqui
1Department of Neurology, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. s_nahrir@yahoo.com
BMJ Case Reports
|July 12, 2012
Summary
Brake fluid toxicity from ethylene glycol can cause severe neurological symptoms. This case highlights a rare instance where it mimicked brain death in a young adult.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Neurology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Brake fluid, primarily ethylene glycol, is a known household poison.
- Glycol-based toxicity commonly affects the central and peripheral nervous systems.
- The toxic mechanism involves calcium oxalate crystal deposition.
Observation:
- A 21-year-old man ingested brake fluid recreationally.
- The patient presented with clinical features mimicking brain death.
- This presentation is a rare manifestation of brake fluid toxicity.
Findings:
- Ethylene glycol poisoning can lead to severe neurological impairment.
- The case demonstrates an unusual presentation of brake fluid toxicity.
- Calcium oxalate crystal deposition may contribute to neurological damage.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider brake fluid toxicity in cases of unexplained neurological decline.
- Early recognition and management are crucial for patients with ethylene glycol poisoning.
- This case expands the spectrum of neurological manifestations of brake fluid toxicity.
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