Benzyl Alcohol Intoxication: Autopsy Findings and Lessons

What is it about?

This content describes a rare case of acute benzyl alcohol intoxication in a 24-year-old man who collapsed while painting a bridge. The victim was found in cardiopulmonary arrest and died despite hospital treatment. The autopsy revealed focal skin coloring, vacuolar degeneration in the epidermis and dermo-epidermal junction, severe erosion of the tracheal and bronchial mucosa, and central chromatolysis of neuronal cells in pontine nuclei and grumose degeneration in the cerebellar dentate nucleus. The blood content of benzyl alcohol was 780.0 µg/mL. The report suggests that multiple pathways of exposure may be associated with more rapid progression in acute benzyl alcohol intoxication and that early and/or severe involvement of the central nervous system may be associated with an early death. [Some of the content on this page has been created by AI]

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Why is it important?

The case report and discussion of acute benzyl alcohol intoxication provide valuable insights into the pathological appearance and potential mechanisms of death in such cases. Understanding the effects of benzyl alcohol exposure can help in preventive measures, appropriate protective procedures, and improving treatment strategies for intoxication. Key Takeaways: 1. The present case suggests that multiple pathways of exposure may be associated with more rapid progression in acute benzyl alcohol intoxication. 2. Early and/or severe involvement of the central nervous system rather than renal dysfunction may be associated with an early death. 3. Vacuolar degeneration in the epidermis and dermo-epidermal junction may be a sign of benzyl alcohol exposure, and degeneration of the bronchial mucosa indicates inhalation exposure. 4. Central chromatolysis and grumose degeneration in the central nervous system may occur rapidly after exposure to benzyl alcohol. 5. Pathological changes in the circulatory and respiratory centers in the medulla oblongata may be strongly associated with the prognosis of acute benzyl alcohol intoxication.