title: Chronic lung disease secondary to ammonia inhalation injury: a report on three cases.
abstract: Inhalation of highly hydrosoluble toxicants, like ammonia, can be associated with chronic lung diseases, which have been partially characterized. We present the case of three patients who were evaluated 2 years after massive exposure to ammonia in occupational settings. They presented with chronic dyspnea, and clinical pictures consistent with restrictive lung dysfunction, obstructive lung disease, and bronchial hyper-reactivity and small airways disease, respectively. The findings in 94 reported cases of inhalation injury due to massive exposure to ammonia are reviewed; in 35 cases follow-up for at least 1 year was available. The range of chronic pulmonary diseases associated with ammonia inhalation injury is reviewed, and suggestions for appropriate diagnostic evaluation are made.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: de la Hoz
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Schlueter
authors.forename: W N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Rom
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000641:Ammonia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000641:Ammonia