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Neurology 2002;59:1460-1463
© 2002 American Academy of Neurology
Brief Communications

Fulminant ascending paralysis as a delayed sequela of diethylene glycol (Sterno) ingestion

Y. D. Rollins, MD PhD, C. M. Filley, MD, J. T. McNutt, MD, S. Chahal, MD and B. K. Kleinschmidt-DeMasters, MD

From the Departments of Neurology (Drs. Rollins, Filley, McNutt, and Kleinschmidt-DeMasters) and Pathology (Drs. Chahal and Kleinschmidt-DeMasters), University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; and Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Dr. Filley), CO.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. B.K. Kleinschmidt-DeMasters, Departments of Neurology and Pathology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO 80262; e-mail: bk.demasters{at}UCHSC.edu

The authors report a 57-year-old man who survived 18 days after swallowing an 8-oz. can of Sterno in a suicide attempt. Two days after ingestion, he developed confusion and acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis, followed on day 8 by a delayed but rapidly evolving ascending paralysis. Pathologic examination showed severe demyelination, with lesser axonal damage, of virtually all cranial and peripheral nerves sampled and sparing of central myelin. The diethylene glycol in the Sterno was considered responsible for this intoxication.




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