Oxalate-crystals in Different Tissues Following Intoxication with Ethylene Glycol: Three Case Reports

Three alcoholics (62 years, 47 years, 83 years) died between 11 and 18 h after ingestion of ethylene glycol (EG). One person committed suicide. Observed symptoms of intoxication were seizures, respiratory depression, arrhythmias and hypotonia. All died in hospital after failed attempts at resuscitation, one person did so after an 11h dialysis treatment. EG was detected in blood in concentrations of between 1 and 3mg/L (toxic range: >0.3mg/L). One case presented a blood alcohol concentration (bac) of 1.14 per thousand. Further toxic substances were not found. Using special staining techniques, oxalate crystals were found in samples from the kidneys, explaining renal failure, and in the medial layer of cerebral vessels.