CONCENTRATED CRESOL INTOXICATION

Cresol, a commonly used disinfectant, may cause gastrointestinal corro sive injury, central nervous system and cardiovascular disturbances, a nd renal and hepatic injury following intoxication. We report a case o f acute severe cresol poisoning after a suicide attempt with ingestion of a cresol-soap solution used as a toilet disinfectant. A 44-y-old m ale was found unconscious after ingesting 300 mi of 50% cresol-soap so lution. Endotracheal intubation. gastric lavage and activated charcoal were given immediately which reversed his conscious. He had dermal bu rns, esophageal and gastric erosion, pneumonia, mixed metabolic acidos is and respiratory aklalosis, renal and liver function impairment, leu cocytosis and dark urine. Acute renal failure and hemolysis developed, but he recovered after hemodialysis and intensive supportive care. Ur ine levels of p-cresol, m-cresol, o-cresol and phenol were respectivel y 2083, 2059, 125 and 68 mg/g creatinine at 7 h postingestion. Though the amount cresol claimed ingested by the patient (150 g) far exceeded the reported lethal dose (30-60 g), and multiple complications develo ped after massive ingestion, this patient recovered. The renal, pulmon ary and hematological effects in this patient might have resulted from the direct toxicity of cresol and its metabolites.