Bilateral Putaminal Necrosis and Optic Atrophy Caused by Chronic Methanol lntoxicatıon Due to Absorbtion from the Skin

Abstract

Background: Methanol a clear, colourless and highly toxic substance, is used as an industrial solvent in automobile antifreeze, in some eau de cologne, paint removers, windshield washer fluid and various solvents. It is well absorbed through the intact skin by inhalation and ingestion. Acute methanol poisoning produces severe metabolic acidosis, cama and death. Methanol can also have cumulative toxicity after repeated exposure. Headache, vertigo, dizziness, visual disturbances (blindness), extrapyramidal signs are characteristics of chronic methanol intoxication.Objective: We report a case with blindness, optic atrophy and bilateral putaminal necrosis caused by methanol intoxication due to absorbtion from the skin. The case we present in this article shows cumulative toxicity after repeated percutaneous exposures and is not reported previously in adults so far. Case: We present a 50-year old woman with elbow dislocation who used methanol as dressing for the treatment of this dislocation about one and a half month percutaneously whose MRG showed bilateral putaminal necrosis and had clinical findings consistent with optic atrophy and blindness.