Methane toxicity: Difference between revisions

m (Rossdonaldson1 moved page Methane to Methane toxicity)
 
(3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 7: Line 7:


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
===History===
*Confined space, particularly at work
**Mining
**Large scale animal farming
**Fossil fuel industry
**Organic decomposition
*Other people exposed may have similar symptoms
===Symptoms===
*Wide range, nonspecific
*Wide range, nonspecific
**Tachycardia
**Tachycardia
Line 18: Line 27:


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
*Toxic chemical asphyxiant exposure
**[[CO toxicity]]
**[[Inhalant abuse]]
*[[Methemoglobinemia]]
*[[Methemoglobinemia]]
*[[High altitude medicine|Altitude related illness]]
*[[High altitude medicine|Altitude related illness]]
*Primary CNS disease
*Primary CNS disease
*ACS
*[[ACS]]
 
{{Toxic gas exposure DDX}}


==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==
===History===
*Confined space, particularly at work
**Mining
**Large scale animal farming
**Fossil fuel industry
**Organic decomposition
*Other people exposed may have similar symptoms
===Workup===
===Workup===
*Oxygen saturation - decreased, should improve with removal from exposure
*Oxygen saturation - decreased, should improve with removal from exposure
*No definitive test for methane
*No definitive test for methane
*Consider other diagnostic testing to rule out other causes if unsure exposure or lack of improvement:
*Consider other diagnostic testing to rule out other causes if unsure exposure or lack of improvement:
**EKG
**[[EKG]]
**CXR
**[[CXR]]
**Head CT
**[[Head CT]]
**ABG
**[[ABG]]
**Carboxyhemoglobin
**Carboxyhemoglobin
===Diagnosis===
===Diagnosis===
*Clinical/diagnosis of exclusion
*Clinical/diagnosis of exclusion
Line 48: Line 50:


==Management==
==Management==
*Supplemental oxygen
*Supplemental [[oxygen]]
*Other supportive care as indicated
*Other supportive care as indicated


Line 68: Line 70:
*Kuschner WG, Blanc PD. Kuschner W.G., & Blanc P.D. Kuschner, Ware G., and Paul D. Blanc.Gases & Other Airborne Toxicants. In: LaDou J, Harrison RJ. LaDou J, & Harrison R.J.(Eds.),Eds. Joseph LaDou, and Robert J. Harrison.eds. CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment: Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 6e. McGraw Hill; 2021.  
*Kuschner WG, Blanc PD. Kuschner W.G., & Blanc P.D. Kuschner, Ware G., and Paul D. Blanc.Gases & Other Airborne Toxicants. In: LaDou J, Harrison RJ. LaDou J, & Harrison R.J.(Eds.),Eds. Joseph LaDou, and Robert J. Harrison.eds. CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment: Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 6e. McGraw Hill; 2021.  
<references/>
<references/>
[[Category:Toxicology]]

Latest revision as of 03:55, 27 November 2021

Background

  • Simple asphyxiant
    • Inert gases that displace oxygen and decrease FiO2
  • Lighter than air
  • Explosive
  • Natural production by bacteria in GI tract of humans, other animals

Clinical Features

History

  • Confined space, particularly at work
    • Mining
    • Large scale animal farming
    • Fossil fuel industry
    • Organic decomposition
  • Other people exposed may have similar symptoms

Symptoms

  • Wide range, nonspecific
    • Tachycardia
    • Tachypnea
    • Headache
    • Confusion
    • Nausea/vomiting
    • LOC
    • Coma
    • Cardiac arrest

Differential Diagnosis

Toxic gas exposure

Evaluation

Workup

  • Oxygen saturation - decreased, should improve with removal from exposure
  • No definitive test for methane
  • Consider other diagnostic testing to rule out other causes if unsure exposure or lack of improvement:

Diagnosis

  • Clinical/diagnosis of exclusion
    • Often based on history of exposure

Management

  • Supplemental oxygen
  • Other supportive care as indicated

Disposition

  • Discharge
    • If stable vitals, improved mental status, and otherwise asymptomatic
  • Admit
    • If needed for further supportive care

See Also

External Links

References

  • Kuschner WG, Blanc PD. Kuschner W.G., & Blanc P.D. Kuschner, Ware G., and Paul D. Blanc.Gases & Other Airborne Toxicants. In: LaDou J, Harrison RJ. LaDou J, & Harrison R.J.(Eds.),Eds. Joseph LaDou, and Robert J. Harrison.eds. CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment: Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 6e. McGraw Hill; 2021.