Cooling in the tropics: ethylene glycol overdose.

Ethylene glycol is the active ingredient used in radiator antifreeze. Severe ingestions of ethylene glycol are uncommon in Australia, but if untreated, can result in multiorgan dysfunction, particularly renal failure and cerebral oedema. We report on a patient who consumed a large quantity of ethylene glycol. He was treated with enteral ethanol and went on to make a full recovery, despite an initial moribund state. We briefly review the pathophysiology and current treatment strategies for ethylene glycol intoxication, and discuss issues surrounding enteral versus parenteral ethanol administration.