Diethylene glycol poisoning identified in the emergency department: A case report.

Diethylene glycol (DEG) is a toxic alcohol associated with severe metabolic acidosis, renal injury and neurologic complications. Diagnosis may be challenging due to nonspecific clinical presentation and limited laboratory testing availability. Reports describing measured DEG levels before and after therapeutic interventions remain limited. We report a case of intentional ingestion of brake fluid resulting in DEG toxicity treated with hemodialysis. A substantial reduction in measured DEG concentration was observed following treatment; however, the relative contributions of extracorporeal therapy and endogenous elimination could not be determined. This case highlights the importance of early recognition and empiric treatment when toxic alcohol ingestion is suspected.