Ethylene glycol poisoning

Seven men with ethylene glycol poisoning were treated at our institution during a ten-year period. Six patients survived. Ethylene glycol levels on admission did not directly correlate with the severity of metabolic abnormalities or subsequent complications. The timing of the patients' admissions altered the clinical picture and results of therapy. Patients who came to our facility later than 12 to 24 hours after ingestion had established renal failure and required prolonged hospitalization. We were able to prevent renal failure in the one patient started on dialysis less than 23 hours after ingestion. Our patients exhibited the metabolic, CNS, cardiopulmonary and renal manifestations of ethylene glycol poisoning.