title: Paraquat poisoning: findings on chest radiography and CT in 42 patients.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to describe the radiologic manifestations of paraquat-induced pulmonary damage, with special emphasis on the sequential changes seen with this condition. Paraquat is a herbicide that has toxic effects on the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Progressive respiratory failure is a frequent cause of death. We analyzed retrospectively 42 patients with a history of paraquat ingestion and abnormal findings on chest radiographs. Radiographic changes during the first week after ingestion included diffuse consolidation (26/39), pneumomediastinum with or without pneumothorax (15/39), and cardiomegaly with widening of the superior mediastinum (8/39). Small cystic and linear shadows began to appear at the end of the first week and were the preponderant parenchymal abnormality after 2-4 weeks. Focal honeycombing was the major parenchymal abnormality after 4 weeks. High-resolution CT of the lung 9 months after paraquat exposure revealed localized fibrosis containing small cysts. Our study shows that the pulmonary manifestations of paraquat poisoning begin with air-space consolidation, which then leads to end-stage lung.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Korea.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Im
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: I O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010269:Paraquat / Q000506:poisoning*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013405:Suicide; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D010269:Paraquat