Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society (한국산학기술학회논문지)

The Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society (한국산학기술학회)
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Why did she lose her sight? A case of visual damage due to methanol inhalation

메탄올 흡입 후 발생한 시각장애 : 증례보고

  • Han, Sangsoo (Department of Emergency Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital) ;
  • Shin, Hee-Jun (Department of Emergency Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital)
  • 한상수 (순천향대학교 부천병원 응급의학과) ;
  • 신희준 (순천향대학교 부천병원 응급의학과)
  • Received : 2018.08.17
  • Accepted : 2018.11.02
  • Published : 2018.11.30
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Abstract

Methanol is a clear, colorless, volatile, and poisonous liquid that is commonly used as an industrial solvent. Visual impairment is a common symptom of methanol poisoning; however, visual impairment rarely occurs after exposure through inhalation. Therefore, visual loss after methanol intoxication via respiration has rarely been reported. We report a case of visual damage associated with methanol poisoning via respiratory exposure in an industrial setting. In this case in South Korea, a 28-year-old woman who worked at a cell phone factory was admitted to the emergency department with mental changes. She had blurred vision that began two days prior, but she did not come to the hospital until she experienced mental changes. She ranked 9 on the Glasgow Coma Scale and presented with severe metabolic acidosis. So, she was admitted to intensive care, and continuous renal replacement therapy was performed. Finally, she was discharged after recovery of her mental state, but had to undergo rehabilitation for six months. Also, her visual impairment was permanent. Methanol intoxication can occur through inhalation, which is difficult to detect initially. However, treatment of methanol poisoning is time-critical. Therefore, doctors should always keep in mind that methanol intoxication may occur via respiration. If in doubt, treatment should be given as soon as possible.

본 메탄올은 공업용 용매로 흔히 사용되는 무색의 휘발성, 유독성 액체이다. 메탄올 중독에 의해서 시각 장애는 흔히 나타나는 증상 및 후유증의 하나지만, 흡입으로 인한 중독에서는 잘 나타나지 않는 것으로 알려져 있다. 그렇기 때문에 메탄올을 흡인한 이후에 시력저하가 생긴 증례는 잘 발표되어 있지 않다. 우리는 산업장에서 호흡기를 통해서 메탄올이 흡입된 이후에 시력손실이 발생한 케이스를 보고하고자 한다. 한국의 한 휴대폰 공장에서 일하던 28세 여자환자가 의식저하로 응급실로 내원하였다. 그녀는 이틀 전부터 시야가 흐릿하게 보였지만 대수롭지 않게 여겨 따로 병원을 찾아가지 않았고, 의식저하가 발생하여서야 병원에 오게 되었다. 내원시 환자는 글래스고혼수척도 9점의 의식저하를 보였으며, 혈액 검사 결과 심한 대사성 산증을 보이고 있었다. 중환자실에 입원하여 응급 투석을 비롯하여 메탄올 중독에 대한 치료를 시행하였다. 치료 후 의식이 회복되어 퇴원할 수 있었으나, 6개월 후까지 재활치료를 받고 있으며, 영구적으로 시력저하가 남았다. 흡입을 통해서도 메탄올 중독이 발생 할 수 있으며, 이는 초기에 알아차리기가 쉽지 않다. 하지만 메탄올 중독의 치료는 시간과의 싸움이며, 초기에 빠르게 치료해야 예후가 좋다. 그러므로 흡입에 의한 중독 가능성을 항상 염두에 두어야 하며, 의심시에는 빠르게 치료를 해야만 한다.

Keywords

SHGSCZ_2018_v19n11_421_f0001.png 이미지

Fig. 1. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (A) diffusion weighted image, (B) T2 weighted image, and (C) susceptibility weighted image

SHGSCZ_2018_v19n11_421_f0002.png 이미지

Fig. 2. Fundus examination (A) right eye, (B) left eye

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