Impairment of organ function after oral ingestion of refined petrol.

After oral ingestion of 600 ml of refined petrol a 23-year-old male developed multiple organ failure. Acute renal insufficiency due to nephrotoxic tubular necrosis requiring hemodialysis was a major manifestation. Moreover, respiratory failure, seizures, hemolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, liver damage and erosions of mucous membranes occurred. The patient subsequently recovered completely. In spite of the poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and the high first-pass effect in the liver, massive petrol intoxication may lead to reversible multisystemic lesions.