title: [Multiple organ failure following inhalation of butane gas: a case report].
abstract: Most cases of acute poisoning by butane and other volatile compounds occur in young people as a consequence of substance abuse by inhalation. Clinical symptoms are caused by asphyxia and mainly affect the cardiovascular, respiratory and central nervous system. There are also reported deaths from intoxication of butane inhalation, mostly by cardiac arrhythmia. We report the case of a healthy 14 year-old boy who inhaled butane gas from an aerosol can for refilling cigarette lighters. Despite successful resuscitation and defibrillation, he died two days later from multiple organ failure involving the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, pulmonary system and the liver. Although such incidents are rare in middle European countries, emergency and intensive care medicine staff should be instructed on the consequences and management of butane gas poisoning.
authors.affiliation: Klinische Abteilung für Allgemeine und Chirurgische Intensivmedizin der Klinik für Anästhesie und Intensivmedizin, Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck, Osterreich.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rieder-Scharinger
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peer
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rabl
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hasibeder
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schobersberger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001344:Autopsy; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002073:Butanes / Q000506:poisoning*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008297:Male; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D002073:Butanes; C046888:butane
vernacular_title: Multiorganversagen nach Butangasinhalation: Ein Fallbericht.