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Introduction: The use of ultrasound imaging before or during vascular cannulation greatly improves first-pass success and reduces complications, but this skill must then be combined with manual dexterity to perform the three dimensional (3D) procedure of placing a catheter into the deep veins while analyzing the 2D images. Hence this study is an attempt to still decrease the above mentioned limitation of guided deep vein cannulation by slight modification in the insertion technique. Aims and objectives: Aims to compare the ultrasound guided deep vein cannulation by conventional insertion technique(CIT) v/s ultrasound guided perpendicular insertion technique (PIT). Main comparison parameters here are number of attempts required, time taken for successful insertion, vessel counter puncture, arterial puncture and other known mechanical complications of deep venous cannulation. Material and method: Prospective, non randomized cross sectional study, done over 200 patients in two arms. Data-analysed by epi2k and state-9 software. Results: Total number of insertions were 64 by CIT v/s 136 by the PIT. Mean of number of attempts required were 1.918 with the CIT v/s 1.106 for the PIT method. Mean of time of cannulation was 78.62 + 18 sec with CIT while it was 66.98 + 12 sec for PIT and this was statistically significant(P = 0.041). Incidence of vessel counter-puncture was much lower in PIT as compared to CIT (6.1 % v/s 16.2%). 5.9% cannulation done by CIT had arterial puncture v/s 0.8% with the PIT. Not a single episode of any other mechanical complications with either of the method. Conclusion: USG guided perpendicular method is less time consuming, less number of attempts are required and there are less chances of arterial picture or vessel counter puncture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Purpose: The outbreak of methanol poisoning described in this paper occurred in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India in July 2009. Our intention is to share the experience of clinical features, laboratory investigations and their relation during this tragedy. Materials and Methods: Single center, retrospective study of clinical features and laboratory parameters of 178 cases of methanol toxicity treated at tertiary care hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Results: Maximum patients (39.8%, n = 45) were received in 48 h; Mean age of presentation was 41.9 ± 10.2 years. Most of them were men (175 out of 178). On presentation, 83% patients had gastro-intestinal symptoms, 46% had neurological symptoms, 73% had visual symptoms and 32% had dyspnoea. 62% had blurred vision, 10.5% had blindness. Patients with visual symptoms had high mean level of methanol (120.12 ± 23.12 vs. 55.43 ± 29.24, P = 0.014). On fundus examination 52.8% (n = 62) had bilateral hyperaemia of discs, 8.4% (n = 12) had bilateral disc pallor and 4.5% had papilledema (n = 5). Patients with hyperaemia of discs, discs pallor or papilledema, had higher mean methanol level (121.1 ± 32.2 mg% v/s 70.1 ± 23.2 mg%, P = 0.032). Mean of pH values was 7.17 ± 0.22 and bicarbonate was 12.3 ± 7.3 mmol/L. Both pH and bicarbonate levels correlated well with mortality and serum methanol level. Mean serum methanol level was 87.1 mg/dL, and correlated significantly with the mortality (53.1 ± 41 mg/dL v/s 121 ± 92 mg/dL, P value < 0.05). Conclusion: GI symptoms, neurological symptoms and breathlessness are important clue to ED physician for diagnose methanol poisoning. Visual symptoms and fundus findings correlate well with the methanol level. Arterial Blood Gas derived pH and bicarbonate levels correlate significantly with the methanol level and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methanol poisoning is a rare but extremely hazardous form of intoxication, generally occurring after suicidal or accidental events. Methanol is a cheap and potent adulterant of illicit liquors. In India, we have witnessed number of mass emergencies due to adulterated alcohol consumption. Although Gujarat State had banned alcohol consumption since 1961, worse hooch tragedies have often taken place. The most severe consequences of methanol intoxication are blindness, a profound metabolic acidosis and various forms of neurological impairment; which occur characteristically after a latent period of several hours or days after ingestion. We present a unique case of acute methanol intoxication presented with, apart from metabolic acidosis and optic neuritis, involvement of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. He had bilateral optic neuritis, delayed onset polyneuropathy with axonopathy, and radiculopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging findings were consistent with bilateral putaminal necrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]