The author presents a literature review concerning methylalcohol intoxications, which belong to the prognostically most serious ones and are still associated with a high mortality. Early determination of diagnosis, which must be based on history data on the ingestion of methylalcohol, on the findings of rapidly developing metabolic acidosis and serumhyperosmolality, is of decisive importance for the prognosis of the patients. The treatment by continual administration of ethylalcohol and by haemodialysis are the most important measures. Early initiation of these therapeutic procedures significantly improves the prognosis of the patients.

        Key words: methylalkohol, ethylalcohol, haemodialysis, 4-methyl-pyrazol, metabolic acidosis, hyperosmolality