Fatal poisoning with diethylene glycol in an unusual setting

Abstract

Morphological findings in cases of intoxication are relatively rare in forensic pathology. In this article we report on a 26-year-old man who drank clear fluid from a tequila bottle that was given to him by a friend. Afterwards, the clear fluid was assumed to be smoke fluid containing diethylene glycol (DEG). The man died eight days later. Macroscopic and microscopic examination of the kidneys and the liver at forensic autopsy revealed findings typical of a DEG intoxication. In addition, the clinical course showed the typical triphasic pattern of symptoms. Toxicological analysis confirmed the presence of DEG in both the original smoke fluid and the tequila bottle. In conclusion, death was due to fatal intoxication by DEG. While most DEG intoxications have been mass poisoning incidents attributed to pharmaceutical products, the present case describes an unusual example of a single decedent.