Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2025
09:35
A Mouse Model of Hemorrhagic Transformation Induced by Acute Hyperglycemia Combined with Transient Focal Ischemia
Published on: November 15, 2024
457
Ethylene glycol poisoning may be associated with elevated post-mortem vitreous glucose level
Pirkko Kriikku1, Ilkka Ojanperä1, Philippe Lunetta2
1Forensic Toxicology Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 40, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
Legal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|June 9, 2023
Summary
Ethylene glycol (EG) poisoning can be fatal if not treated promptly. Elevated post-mortem vitreous humor glucose levels may indicate EG ingestion when other causes are ruled out.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Ethylene glycol (EG) is a toxic alcohol sometimes misused as an ethanol substitute.
- EG ingestion can lead to fatal outcomes without timely medical intervention.
- Fatal EG poisonings may be underdiagnosed in post-mortem investigations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze demographic and toxicological data from fatal ethylene glycol poisoning cases.
- To investigate the utility of vitreous humor glucose as a marker for EG ingestion in post-mortem examinations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 17 fatal ethylene glycol poisoning cases in Finland (2016-2022).
- Examination of forensic toxicology and biochemistry results, including vitreous humor glucose levels.
- Review of demographic information and case circumstances (suicide, accident, undetermined intent).
Main Results:
- The study included 17 cases, predominantly male, with a median age of 47 years.
- Elevated vitreous humor (VH) glucose (>0.35 mmol/L) was observed in all cases (mean 5.2 mmol/L).
- Other glycemic markers were generally within normal limits, suggesting EG as a cause of hyperglycemia.
Conclusions:
- Elevated post-mortem VH glucose, unexplained by other conditions, can suggest ethylene glycol (EG) substitute intake.
- Routine screening for EG is limited, highlighting the importance of considering VH glucose in unexplained hyperglycemia.
- This finding aids in identifying potential EG poisonings during post-mortem investigations.
