A 40 year old male was found unresponsive in the garden. Initial GCS was 9 (E3V2M4) which deteriorated to 7 (E2V2M3) on arrival to the emergency department. ECG and CT brain were both normal. An ABG demonstrated a high anion gap metabolic acidosis (pH 7.0) with an increased osmolal gap (>10mOsm/kg). In view of unexplained decreased level of consciousness along with high anion gap acidosis and high osmolal gap, ethylene glycol toxicity was considered to be the most likely diagnosis.
Author
Written by Dr Kyle Gibson
First published on 27 February 2020
