Ethanol abuse

Ethanol abuse is the excessive consumption of ethyl alcohol or ethanol.

A depiction of acute intoxication. (Jan Steen)

In common usage, alcohol is used as a synonym for ethanol, which is abbreviated EtOH. Alcohol abuse causes a large number of medical problems. It includes both acute and chronic problems, and affects a multitude of systems.

In pathology, alcohol may refer to the fixative; it is a chemical used to preserve tissue.

General

• Very common.

Classic lab findings in alcohol abusers

• AST & ALT elevated with AST:ALT=2:1.
• GGT elevated.
• MCV increased.

Toxicity

Acute toxicity is discussed in the section ethanol toxicity.

Pathology associated with alcohol

Head & neck:

• Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Luminal GI tract:

• Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.
• Reactive gastropathy.
• Gastric adenocarcinoma.

Liver:

• Alcoholic liver disease.
  • Alcoholic steatohepatitis.
  • Liver steatosis, macrovesicular and centrilobular.
  • Cirrhosis, micronodular.
    • Hepatocellular carcinoma.

Pancreas:

• Chronic pancreatitis.
  • Pancreatic pseudocyst.

CNS:

• Marchiafava-Bignami Disease.
• Wernicke's encephalopathy.
• Intracranial haemorrhage - due to trauma arising from drunkenness.
• Blunt force trauma - accidental.
• Choking - increased risk with acute intoxication.
• Dementia.

Cardiovascular:

• Hypertension.
• Dilated cardiomyopathy.
• Atrial fibrillation.

Respiratory:

• Aspiration pneumonia.

See also

• Smoking.