The diversity of the effects of sulfur mustard gas inhalation on respiratory system 10 years after a single, heavy exposure: analysis of 197 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To find out the late pulmonary sequelae of sulfur mustard gas inhalation in 197 veterans, 10 years after their exposure.


METHODS
Cross-sectional clinical study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
One hundred ninety-seven veterans with a single, heavy exposure to sulfur mustard gas in 1986 and 86 nonexposed veterans as their control group.


METHODS
Pulmonary function tests, carbon monoxide diffusion capacity, bronchoscopy, and high-resolution CT of the chest were performed in all patients. Transbronchial lung biopsy was done in 24 suspected cases of pulmonary fibrosis.


RESULTS
Asthma was diagnosed in 21 (10.65%), chronic bronchitis in 116 (58.88%), bronchiectasis in 17 (8.62%), airway narrowing due to searing or granulation tissue in 19 (9.64%), and pulmonary fibrosis in 24 (12.18%) cases. None of these were found among the control group except for a single case of chronic bronchitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the respiratory symptoms of an acute sulfur mustard gas inhalation are usually transient and nonspecific, it can lead to the development of a series of chronic destructive pulmonary sequelae in such cases.
Emad
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Rezaian
G R
GR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000139:chemically induced; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced; D001706:Biopsy; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000139:chemically induced; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000139:chemically induced; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity / Q000187:drug effects; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014728:Veterans; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects; D014857:Warfare
D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D009151:Mustard Gas