Oral frostbite injury from intentional abuse of a fluorinated hydrocarbon.
BACKGROUND
A serious but rarely reported complication of halogenated hydrocarbon inhalation abuse is severe mucosal frostbite.


METHODS
A 16-year-old male attempted to "get high" by inhaling airbrush propellant which contained 1,1-difluoroethane (CAS #75-376). The patient lost consciousness and upon awakening his lips and tongue were frozen. He suffered first- and second-degree burns of the larynx with vocal cord involvement and first-degree burns of the trachea, main stem bronchi, and esophagus. The oral cavity had second- and third-degree burns which required debridement.


CONCLUSIONS
This case demonstrates the unusual but severe damage that can occur with the abuse of fluorinated hydrocarbons.
Kuspis
D A
DA
Pittsburgh Poison Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Krenzelok
E P
EP
D000293:Adolescent; D005617:Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane; D003422:Critical Care; D005627:Frostbite / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008046:Lip / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D009055:Mouth / Q000293:injuries*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000293:injuries; D010614:Pharynx / Q000293:injuries; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*
D005617:Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; C059268:1,1-difluoroethane