Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Diethylene glycol poisoning from transcutaneous absorption.

Elisabetta Devoti1, Elisabetta Marta1, Elena Belotti1

  • 1Operative Unit of Nephrology, A.O. Spedali Civili di Brescia and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.

American Journal of Kidney Diseases : the Official Journal of the National Kidney Foundation
|December 3, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Letter: Updates to Microhematuria: AUA/SUFU Guideline (2025).

The Journal of urology·2025
Same author

Efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin in patients with CKD: real-world experience in 93 Italian renal clinics.

Clinical kidney journal·2025
Same author

[Governo clinico in nefrologia: organizzazione e sviluppo della dialisi peritoneale].

Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia·2024
Same author

Inflammation biomarkers and inflammatory genes expression in metabolically healthy obese patients.

Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD·2023
Same author

Exploration of a panel of urine biomarkers of kidney disease in two paediatric cohorts with Type 1 diabetes mellitus of differing duration.

Diabetology & metabolic syndrome·2022
Same author

Renal involvement in sarcoidosis: histological patterns and prognosis, an Italian survey.

Sarcoidosis, vasculitis, and diffuse lung diseases : official journal of WASOG·2021

Transcutaneous diethylene glycol (DEG) poisoning caused severe acute kidney injury and neurological damage in a patient. Early hemodialysis and supportive care led to complete recovery, highlighting the unpredictable nature of DEG toxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Nephrology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Diethylene glycol (DEG) is a toxic alcohol often found in industrial products.
  • Poisoning typically occurs via ingestion, but transcutaneous absorption is a rare route.
  • DEG poisoning can lead to severe multi-organ damage, particularly acute kidney injury.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with anuria, gastrointestinal distress, and hypertension after applying brake fluid containing DEG to his skin for dermatitis.
  • Initial investigations revealed acute kidney injury and metabolic acidosis; hemodialysis was initiated.
  • Kidney biopsy confirmed acute toxic proximal tubulonecrosis without oxalate crystal deposition.

Findings:

  • Despite initial dramatic neurological deterioration, the patient showed gradual improvement in both renal and neurological functions.
Keywords:
Diethylene glycolacute kidney injuryacute renal failureethylene glycolintoxicationpoisoning

Related Experiment Videos

  • Complete clinical recovery was achieved after 5 months of rehabilitation.
  • This case highlights the potential for severe toxicity via transcutaneous absorption of DEG.

    • Implications:

    • Transcutaneous diethylene glycol exposure can cause severe acute kidney injury and neurological sequelae.
    • Early hemodialysis and supportive care are crucial for managing DEG poisoning.
    • Fomepizole may be beneficial in early-diagnosed cases, though specific antidotes are lacking.