[The osmolar gap and the diagnosis of severe alcohol intoxication].

The calculated osmolar gap is a useful diagnostic tool in clinical toxicology whenever toxicologic screens are not available. In a case of severe intoxication with ethyl alcohol there was deep coma and a calculated osmolar gap of 208 mOsm, consistent with an ethanol plasma level of 958 mg/dl. The diagnosis of severe ethanol intoxication was confirmed later. Serial calculations of the osmolar gap served to assess the clinical course.