Methanol Intoxication: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, And Current Treatment Approaches

Abstract

Methanol, or methyl alcohol (CH3OH, or MeOH for short), is the simplest alcohol. It is a colorless, volatile liquid with a slight alcohol odor that is completely miscible with water. Despite its functional importance and regulated distribution through established industrial supply chains, methanol remains a significant public health concern due to its high toxicity and potential for misuse, particularly in the context of illicit alcoholic beverage production. This study provides a comprehensive and multidisciplinary evaluation of methanol's chemical properties, legitimate supply routes, and primary industrial use patterns. This study explores the epidemiology and mechanisms of methanol-related toxicities, focusing on the medical process leading to methanol exposure, metabolic acidosis, and visual toxicity, and the societal consequences of accidental-intentional misuse. A detailed analysis of the clinical features of methanol poisoning, including diagnostic features, laboratory and imaging findings, is presented. Evidence-based hospital management strategies, such as supportive care, antivenom therapy, and the role of extracorporeal elimination, have been synthesized in alignment with current international guidelines. This study integrates toxicological, clinical and public health perspectives; It aims to provide an understanding of methanol hazards, prevention strategies, and an updated framework for early diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords

• Methanol intoxication
• Visual disturbance
• Emergency medicine

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