[Pneumopathies caused by inhalation of hydrocarbons: apropos of 3 cases].
We report three personal cases of hydrocarbide aspiration pneumonia. High-viscosity non-volatile hydrocarbides (paraffin oil, for instance) cause often pseudotumoral exogenous fat-aspiration lung disease. Low-viscosity volatile hydrocarbides (petroleum, gasoline, white spirit, for instance) cause acute pseudo-infectious lung disease with dyspnea and fever which usually resolves within a few weeks but which may also be life-threatening. Purely symptomatic treatment has greatly progressed with advances in intensive ventilatory assistance. Gastric emptying with emetic agents or lavage procedures is dangerous and must be avoided except for exceptional cases. When required, the airways must be protected with tracheal intubation. Volatile hydrocarbides should be stored in protected areas in containers with safety stoppers which children cannot open.
Haas
C
C
Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, 20-40, rue Leblanc, 75908 Paris Cedex 15.
Lebas
F X
FX
Le Jeunne
C
C
Lowenstein
W
W
Durand
H
H
Hugues
F C
FC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007223:Infant; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010232:Paraffin / Q000009:adverse effects; D010578:Petroleum / Q000009:adverse effects; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011017:Pneumonia, Lipid / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D006838:Hydrocarbons; D010578:Petroleum; D010232:Paraffin