Therapeutic Applications of Ethanol: A Review

Abstract

Purpose: To review knowledge on therapeutic uses of ethanol and the latter’s effectiveness and safety profiles in a range of indications. Methods: MEDLINE and PubMed databases were searched for relevant peer-reviewed papers published in English between 1888 and 2018 using the following search terms: ethanol, therapeutic, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, antiseptic, antidote, methanol, ethylene glycol, neurolysis, embolization, cyst, sclerosing agent, sclerotherapy, arteriovenous malformations, ablating agent. Studies providing information about association between alcohol and therapeutic indications, or mechanic explanation for the association were included for review. Results: According to the World Health Organization, approximately three millions deaths worldwide are attributable to alcohol consumption each year. However, the low-to-moderate consumption of ethanol has a number of beneficial effects (mainly on cardiovascular mortality and diabetes). Hence, ethanol has an unusual spectrum of effects that seems interesting for therapeutic purposes. Ethanol’s risk-benefit ratio appears to be positive in some therapeutic indications such as antidote to methanol or ethylene glycol poisoning, neurolysis, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, or antiseptic. Conclusion: With the development of interventional radio technologies, and thus extremely precise access to anatomical structures, alcohol has been given new indications - particularly as an embolization, sclerosing or ablation agent. Moreover, constant progress in our knowledge of ethanol’s pharmacodynamics might highlight other therapeutic indications for this compound in the future. Ethanol’s low cost and wide availability make it a valuable therapeutic agent, compared with other reference treatments. Furthermore, ethanol has a long track record of safety and effectiveness in the indications mentioned above.

Porous Silicon Nanosystems for Ethanol Sensor

“…Особлива увага приділяється розробці недорогих і надійних газових сенсорів. Серед них важливе місце з погляду практичного застосування займають сенсори випарів етанолу, оскільки етанол широко використовується в технологічних процесах хімічної, фармацевтичної і харчової промисловості, для виробництва біопалива, контролю процесів бродіння, а також як маркер деяких захворювань і антисептик у медицині та у засобах особистої гігієни [3][4][5]. Ефективне і вчасне виявлення легкозаймистих випарів етанолу має вирішальне значення для промислової безпеки, а також дозволить уникнути потенційних економічних втрат і людських жертв, спричинених зловживанням етанолом.…”

Optimal Approaches to Skin Preparation Prior to Neurosurgery

“…Alcohol has established neurotoxic properties-in fact, this effect is employed therapeutically in some neurolysis procedures that use ethanol to lesion nerves. 36,37 The existing literature regarding the role that the isopropyl alcohol component of CHG solutions may play in neurotoxicity is limited and primarily comes from the anesthesiology community regarding skin-preparation choice prior to neuraxial blockage. 36 This literature suggests that the benefits of using these skin-preparation agents outweigh the potential risks, possibly due to the low volume of exposure.…”

Ethanol Ablation as a Treatment in a Low-Risk Follicular Thyroid Cancer: A Case Report

“…Ethanol has been used therapeutically for decades in various indications such as an antiseptic, an antidote for methanol or ethylene glycol intoxication, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and also as an ablating, sclerosing, or embolizing agent [4]. When ethanol is injected into cystic thyroid nodules, it promotes cellular dehydration and protein denaturation, resulting in reactive fibrosis [5].…”

“…When ethanol is injected into cystic thyroid nodules, it promotes cellular dehydration and protein denaturation, resulting in reactive fibrosis [5]. In oncology, ethanol has proven its efficacy in treating various types of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, and lately recurrent malignant thyroid cancers when the patients presented with high surgical risk or refused surgery [4].…”