Charcoal lung. Bronchiolitis obliterans after aspiration of activated charcoal.
Activated charcoal usually provides effective and safe treatment for drug overdose. We describe a patient who developed bronchiolitis obliterans and respiratory failure following aspiration of activated charcoal. This patient had a markedly reduced vital capacity with roentgenographic evidence of airtrapping. Chest roentgenograms did not demonstrate the large amount of charcoal identified at postmortem examination.
Elliott
C G
CG
Department of Medicine, LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City 84143.
Colby
T V
TV
Kelly
T M
TM
Hicks
H G
HG
D000293:Adolescent; D001989:Bronchiolitis Obliterans / Q000209:etiology*; D002606:Charcoal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000506:poisoning; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
D002606:Charcoal; D009661:Nortriptyline