Pneumomediastinum associated with inhalation of white smoke.
Hexachloroethane (HC) smoke, also known as white smoke, is an obscurant used in numerous military situations. Many adverse health effects are associated with the use of white smoke, some of which are potentially life threatening. Inhalation is the most frequent route of injury. Two deaths among U.S. Army personnel resulted from HC smoke exposure in 1988. As recently as 1997, a United Nations soldier in Bosnia died after an HC smoke canister was discharged in his tent. Injuries are predominantly pulmonary and range from cough and dyspnea to chemical pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, and adult respiratory distress syndrome. In the case presented, a soldier developed pneumomediastinum after exposure to HC smoke. This is the first case reported in the literature of pneumomediastinum associated with HC smoke inhalation.
Holmes
P S
PS
Department of Family Medicine, Martin Army Community Hospital, Fort Benning, GA 31905, USA.
D000328:Adult; D004980:Ethane / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D008887:Military Medicine; D008889:Military Personnel; D011859:Radiography; D015208:Smoke Inhalation Injury / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States
D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; C010182:hexachloroethane; D004980:Ethane