"Pseudo" renal failure after isopropyl alcohol intoxication

We have described a case of isopropyl alcohol intoxication with the confusing picture of normoglycemia and ketonuria, without evidence of metabolic acidosis. The patient also had a spurious elevation of serum creatinine caused by the high acetone level. The positive ketone test was secondary to high levels of acetone, the main metabolic product of isopropyl alcohol. This is the first case of isopropyl alcohol ingestion in which "pseudo" renal failure has been described.