Acetone Ingestion Resulting in Cardiac Arrest and Death

Accidental Acetone Ingestion in Liver Transplant Patient With Alcohol Relapse: A Case Report

Acetone is one of the three main types of ketone bodies that can be found in ketoacidosis, along with acetoacetate, and beta-hydroxybutyrate. Any of these three ketone bodies can be found in the blood after the natural breakdown of fatty acids in diabetes, starvation, or alcoholic ketoacidosis. However, a patient can also develop acetone poisoning from ingestion of common household products such as nail polish removers, paint removers, isopropyl alcohol, or other detergents and cleaners. Ingestion is usually accidental in adults and children and can lead to severe damage to the liver, heart, nervous system, and kidneys. In rare cases, large amounts of ingestion can lead to life-threatening conditions or death. Our case reports a man with a history of alcoholic cirrhosis status post liver transplantation, who unintentionally ingested acetone, mistaking the contents of small bottles for vodka. The patient presented with several syncopal episodes, anion gap metabolic acidosis, transaminitis with hyperbilirubinemia, and pancreatitis.

Nail Polish Remover Induced Methemoglobinemia: An Uncommon Occurrence

Methemoglobinemia, defined as hemoglobin's impaired oxygen-carrying capacity due to oxidation from the ferrous (Fe2+) state to the ferric (Fe3+) state, has many well-documented etiologies. One example of an uncommon cause of acquired methemoglobinemia is the ingestion of nail polish remover, which can contain methemoglobin generators such as nitroethane, N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine, and isobutyl nitrite. We present a case of methemoglobinemia in an 81-year-old male following accidental ingestion of isobutyl nitrite-containing nail polish remover, commonly used as a recreational inhalant. Furthermore, we review potentially toxic substances found in commercially available nail products. This case was designed to identify and efficiently treat a rather uncommon cause of methemoglobinemia induced in this case by a common household item, nail polish remover.

Elevated Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis With High Osmolar Gap and Increased Serum Acetone Level: A Case Report

Acetone poisoning, although not very common, can present with varied signs and symptoms. High acetone levels in serum can be due to exogenous exposure or endogenous production of acetone. Unlike certain alcohol toxicities, acetone does not cause high anion gap metabolic acidosis.

A 69-year-old male presented to our service with shock and acute encephalopathy and required intensive care support. Initial laboratory investigation showed high anion gap metabolic acidosis with high osmolar gap. Serum acetone level was elevated. Clinicians need to be aware of how to elucidate such metabolic disturbances and associated toxicities.