Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0495
ISSN: 2161-0495
Yedidia Bentur
Director, Israel Poison Information Center, Clinical Professor of Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Rambam Health Care Campus,
P.O.B. 9602, Haifa 31096
Israel
Case Report
Acute Inhaled Xylene Poisoning Confirmed by Methylhippuric Acid Urine Test
Author(s): Ophir Lavon and Yedidia BenturOphir Lavon and Yedidia Bentur
Xylene is a commonly used toxic volatile organic solvent. Diagnosis of acute xylene poisoning is limited by the lack of a readily available analytic assay. Methylhippuric acid, a metabolite of xylene excreted in the urine, is used for biomonitoring occupational exposures to xylene. We report two cases of acute occupational poisoning from xylene inhalation suggested by determination of high urinary methylhippuric acid. Two 21 and 23 years old healthy male adults collapsed after inhaling an unknown paint thinner during painting. On admission to the emergency department, they were confused and agitated, without hemodynamic or respiratory impairment. Admission urinary methylhippuric acid determined by HPLC with UV detector were 2.57 and 2.68 g/g creatinine (Biologic Exposure Index, BEI, 1.5 g/g creatinine). Urinary hippuric acid was below the previously used BEI for toluene. Mild increase.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2161-0495.1000274