Carbon dioxide poisoning1/4/2024 Skin lesions resulting from hypoxia can be mistaken for burns from the source of the gas, such as fires and malfunctioning heating systems. What is the differential diagnosis for carbon monoxide poisoning? Direct oximetry will often show the oxygen saturation to be much lower than it would appear through pulse oximetry, and this gap in saturation between the two tests is a typical indicator of carbon monoxide poisoning. ĭirect oximetry using a spectrophotometer (a device that measures the amount of light absorbed by a substance - in this case, oxygen) is the best diagnostic test of oxygen saturation in plasma, and should be used as soon as possible in order to begin treatment. This gives a false reading of oxygen content in the blood. As oxygen binds tightly to carboxyhaemoglobin, carboxyhaemoglobin may be misread as oxyhaemoglobin when examined under arterial blood gas analysis and pulse oximetry (a measurement of arterial oxygen saturation). Concentration of carbon monoxide upon exposureīeyond the varied physical symptoms, carbon monoxide poisoning can prove difficult to diagnose.The severity of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning is dependent on a number of factors, such as : How is carbon monoxide poisoning diagnosed? These lesions are often misdiagnosed as burns from the source of the gas, but can be caused by muscle necrosis resulting from hypoxia. In some cases, carbon monoxide poisoning can cause erythema, blistering and necrotic skin lesions on the hands, legs, back and ankles. Severe carbon monoxide poisoning can cause the skin to turn a cherry-red colour. Depending on the concentration and length of exposure, symptoms can include: Victims of carbon monoxide poisoning may have continued neurological aftereffects and psychomotor impairments, even long after treatment. Severe symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, occurring after long or extreme exposure to the gas, include: Mild effects of carbon monoxide poisoning include : What are the clinical features of carbon monoxide poisoning? This process starves the body's tissues of oxygen, causing hypoxia and chemical asphyxiation, where the patient does not receive enough oxygen to their tissues and organs on a cellular level, but does not present any physical signs of asphyxiation. This traps oxygen on the surface of the cells, preventing the distribution of oxygen to the tissues, and metabolising the carbon monoxide into carboxyhaemoglobin. It changes the structure of the haemoglobin in the red cell to make it bind more tightly to oxygen. As mitochondria produce energy within the cell, carbon monoxide inhibits the cells’ ability to take up oxygen. When carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream, it binds to the mitochondrial membrane of red cells. ![]() Most cases of carbon monoxide poisoning occur in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas, which increase the likelihood of inhalation. Poisoning occurs through the inhalation of carbon monoxide or absorption through the skin.
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