Delayed reversal of methanol-induced blindness in an adult by a combination of erythropoietin and a high dose of methylprednisolone: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The clinical manifestation following methanol toxicity accounts for a life-threatening problem that contributes to metabolic disorders, neurological complications, blindness, and even death. There is no completely effective treatment to retain the patient's vision. Herein, we apply a new therapeutic strategy for the recovery of bilateral blindness in a patient who had ingested methanol. CASE PRESENTATION: A 27-year-old Iranian man with complete bilateral blindness was referred 3 days after accidental ingestion of methanol to the poisoning center at Jalil Hospital, Yasuj, Iran, in 2022. After taking his medical history, performing neurologic and ophthalmologic examinations, and routine laboratory tests, ordinary management was undertaken and counterpoisons were given for 4-5 days; however, the blindness did not reverse. Following the 4-5 days of unsuccessful standard management, he was given ten doses of subcutaneous erythropoietin 10,000 IU/12 hours twice daily, folinic acid 50 mg/12 hours, and methylprednisolone 250 mg/6 hours for 5 days. After five days, vision of both eyes recovered, reaching 1/10 in the left and 7/10 in the right eye. He remained under daily supervision until his release from the hospital, and he was discharged from the hospital 15 days post admission. In outpatient follow-up, his visual acuity was improved without having any side effects at 2 weeks after discharge. CONCLUSION: A combination of erythropoietin and a high dose of methylprednisolone were useful for relieving the critical optic neuropathy and improved the optical neurological disorder following methanol toxicity.

Hopeful News for Physicians Who Involved in the Treatment of Critical Aluminum Phosphide (Rice Pill) Poisoning Patients.

Introduction: Aluminum phosphide (rice tablet) was first introduced as a pesticide in India. Rice tablets are commonly used in Iran due to their high efficacy against rodents and insects, low cost, and availability. Aluminum phosphide is a lethal poison without antidote and causes cardiocirculatory collapse and has negative inotropic cardiac effect. Human and animal studies showed that high dose insulin had positive cardiac inotropic effects. GIK (glucose, insulin, and potassium) assists heart uptake of carbohydrates that are the major fuel substrate of the myocard muscle under stressed conditions and leading to correction of acidosis, increased myocardial contractility, and peripheral vascular resistance. Case Presentation. In this manuscript, a young woman with aluminum phosphide poisoning was described to have presented with hypotension, hypoxemia, and severe metabolic acidosis. In contrast to our previous experiences that approximately all rice tablet poisoning patients with shock were dead despite full conservative treatment, this patient miraculously was saved with high dose intravenous regular insulin infusion and was discharged from the hospital with good condition and without any complications. Conclusion: Rice tablet poisoning has high fatality rate, and to date, no antidote is available. GIK is suggested as a potential life saving treatment for critical rice tablet poisoning patients with symptoms and signs of shock.