[Acute encephalopathy in ethylene glycol poisoning].

Poisoning with ethylene glycol is the most frequent poisoning in our country. Acute encephalopathy during this poisoning may be a cause of important diagnostic difficulties, especially in the initial phase of the poisoning, due to the variety of symptoms and signs. Three cases of this poisoning are reported. All patients were erroneously referred and admitted to neurological hospital department. It is postulated that in each case of coma of unknown aetiology with signs suggesting damage to the brain stem and hyperventilation arterial blood gasometric examination should be done and blood and urine should be taken for toxicological investigations. In the treatment of glycol poisoning the most important task is to correct metabolic acidosis and to apply early dialysis treatment in serious intoxication.