Chronic Dermal Isopropanol Exposure Resulting in Central Nervous System Depression in a Hemodialysis Patient. J Emerg Med 2025 Oct;77:42-44
Date
08/25/2025Pubmed ID
40850062DOI
10.1016/j.jemermed.2025.07.036Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105013760925 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
BACKGROUND: Isopropanol is a volatile alcohol that is easily accessed but generally not thought to cause significant toxicity. It has been shown to be dermally absorbed in the past, but typically not to a significant extent.
CASE REPORT: We present a case of chronic dermal isopropanol exposure in a hemodialysis (HD) dependent patient that resulted in central nervous system depression due to chronic accumulation of acetone. Symptoms resolved following 3 hours of HD. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Given that isopropanol and acetone are primarily renally cleared, patients with poor intrinsic renal function are at risk for developing significant toxicity beyond what would typically be expected from an isopropanol exposure.
Author List
Audette M, Tuttle M, Khan S, Corcoran JAuthor
Justin N. Corcoran MD Assistant Professor in the Emergency Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
2-PropanolAcetone
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Renal Dialysis
