Profound atelectasis following alkaline corrosive airway injury.
We report a case of life-threatening acute atelectasis following intubation for alkaline corrosive injury to the upper airway. The risk factors for and diagnosis of acute atelectasis as well as current methods of treatment are reviewed. It is important for emergency physicians to be familiar with this potentially fatal respiratory emergency during care for acutely ill and injured patients.
Hallagan
L F
LF
Department of Emergency Medicine, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037.
Smith
M
M
D001980:Bronchi; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000150:complications*; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000506:poisoning*; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000506:poisoning*; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000209:etiology*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
D006878:Hydroxides; D017680:Potassium Compounds; C029943:potassium hydroxide