Acute Renal Failure Due to Ethylene Glycol Poisoning: A Case Report

Acute renal failure caused by ingestion of ethylene glycol during a suicide attempt is rare. In this case report, a Japanese man ingested ethylene glycol in a suicide attempt and was transported to our hospital. He complained of severe nausea and blood tests revealed metabolic acidosis, and elevated white blood cell count, creatinine and BUN levels. Hemodialysis was implemented four hours after the ethylene glycol was ingested, and urine volume increased to 1,500 mL/day on the ninth day after admission. Creatinine clearance, however, did not improve. A renal biopsy performed on the 45th day revealed numerous collapsed glomerulus, cortical infarction, and swelling of the renal tubular epithelial cells. Hemodialysis has been recommended for the treatment of ethylene glycol poisoning in the presence of severe metabolic acidosis that is unresponsive to therapy.

Keywords: Acute renal failure, Ethylene glycol, Hemodialysis, Metabolic acidosis, Poisoning.