title: Severe frostbite caused by Freon gas.
abstract: We have reported a case of severe frostbite due to direct exposure to liquid Freon gas (monochlorodifluoromethane), a fluorinated hydrocarbon widely used as refrigerants, propellants, and industrial solvents. The patient was treated for severe third- and fourth-degree frostbite to the hand. The severity of the injury was apparently the result of direct through-and-through injury from exposure to the liquid (boiling point -40.5 degrees C) and a possible systemic vasoconstrictive effect on arterial smooth muscle due to inhalation of Freon gas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216-4505.
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Wegener
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Barraza
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Das
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005617:Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005627:Frostbite / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000601:surgery; D005740:Gases / Q000009:adverse effects; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012782:Shoulder; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders
chemical_list: D005617:Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane; D005740:Gases