Methylene chloride inhalation: an unusual form of drug abuse.
Methylene chloride is a chlorinated hydrocarbon used widely in home and industry. Its intentional abuse has not been reported previously. We describe the case of a 14-year-old boy who presented with lethargy, nausea, and chills six hours after the intentional inhalation of a household product containing methylene chloride. The patient's elevated carboxyhemoglobin level responded well to 100% oxygen therapy. The pathophysiology and treatment of methylene chloride are discussed.
D000042:Absorption; D000293:Adolescent; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D008297:Male; D008752:Methylene Chloride; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy
D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D008752:Methylene Chloride; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin