title: [Poisoning with volatile hydrocarbons. 3 cases and a review].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Volatile crude oil derivates (hydrocarbons) are becoming more and more widely used in homes and during leisure activities. This leads to a high rate of intoxications with these products in children (5% of all pediatric intoxications, 25% of all lethal intoxications). Clinical courses, pathophysiology, and therapy of these intoxications are referred and studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on a literature review and 3 cases reports with different clinical courses, intoxications with volatile hydrocarbons are analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The inhalation of volatile hydrocarbons causes an ARDS. This explains the high mortality. Early oxygen-treatment with PEEP-ventilation, however, facilitates a favourable outcome without residual defects as we demonstrate in one case. Another patient needs prolonged ventilatory support after a delayed start of therapy. A third patient cannot be saved even with ECMO.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Initial pulmonary symptoms after hydrocarbon intoxication, such as coughing and cyanosis, are signs for a severe course. Immediate hospitalization with repetitive chest x-rays and adequate instant therapy are the only option to reduce the high mortality of this intoxication.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Pädiatrie, Medizinische Universität Lübeck.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Möller
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Vardag
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jonas
authors.forename: F K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Tegtmeyer
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000139:chemically induced; D007648:Kerosene / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D011379:Prognosis; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D007648:Kerosene; D010100:Oxygen
vernacular_title: Intoxikation mit flüchtigen Kohlenwasserstoffen. 3 Kasuistiken und Ubersicht.