Acute management of exposure to liquid ammonia.
Ammonia injury is an uncommon injury, but it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This case report demonstrates the pathophysiology and treatment of both cutaneous burn wounds and inhalation injury caused by ammonia. Frequent bronchoscopy was used to attempt to avoid intubation and its associated morbidity. The patient remained extubated, but later he required skin grafts to close his wounds after healing of his pulmonary injury. A review of the management of inhalation injury is also discussed. Ammonia injury can cause a severe inhalation injury. Bronchoscopy can be a useful tool to avoid intubation.
Kerstein
M D
MD
Temple Burn Center, Temple University Health System, 3401 North Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
Schaffzin
D M
DM
Hughes
W B
WB
Hensell
D O
DO
D000328:Adult; D000641:Ammonia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D002059:Burns, Inhalation / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male
D000641:Ammonia