2021 Volume 47 Issue 1 Pages 22-28
We present the case of a 71-year-old man with 9% TBSA chemical injury on his right back, both buttocks, both thighs, and left leg caused by an alkali.
He lost consciousness while cleaning the floor without precautionary measures using a wax remover containing benzyl alcohol and an alkali. He then sustained third-degree chemical injury due to exposure to the alkali. On day 7 after the injury, he came to our hospital because he did not realize his injury until then. We diagnosed volatile organic compound (VOC), benzyl alcohol, poisoning as the cause of consciousness disorder after the interview and physical examination. After two rounds of skin grafting, the wound was closed and he was discharged on day 73 after the injury.
There is a risk of overlooking important details in cases of industrial accidents because of a lack of specific findings for VOC poisoning.
