injuries poisoning
Hydrocarbon Poisoning
Diagnosis of Hydrocarbon Poisoning
Chest x-ray and oximetry done about 6 hours after ingestion If patients are too obtunded to provide a history, hydrocarbon exposure may be suspected if their breath or clothing has an odor or if a container is found near them. Paint residue on the hands or around the mouth may suggest recent paint sniffing. Diagnosis of Aspiration Pneumonitis and Pneumonia is by symptoms and signs as well as by chest x-ray and oximetry, which are done about 6 hours after ingestion or sooner if symptoms are severe. If respiratory failure is suspected, arterial blood gases are measured. Acute ingestion of hydrocarbons causes CNS depression and coma primarily. Chronic exposure to certain hydrocarbons (n-hexane, MnBK) causes demyelinating peripheral neuropathy. Strength is severely affected but sensation and reflexes may be minimally affected. Central nervous system toxicity is diagnosed by neurologic examination and MRI. Major MRI findings include atrophy, white matter T2-weighted hyperintensity, and basal ganglia and thalamic T2-weighted hypointensity. 