[Poisoning with volatile hydrocarbons. 3 cases and a review].
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.
Möller
J C
JC
Klinik für Pädiatrie, Medizinische Universität Lübeck.
Vardag
A M
AM
Jonas
S
S
Tegtmeyer
F K
FK
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
D007648:Kerosene; D010100:Oxygen
Intoxikation mit flüchtigen Kohlenwasserstoffen. 3 Kasuistiken und Ubersicht.