Zinc chloride (smoke bomb) inhalation lung injury: clinical presentations, high-resolution CT findings, and pulmonary function test results.
OBJECTIVE
Zinc chloride smoke inhalation injury (ZCSII) is uncommon and has been rarely described in previous studies. We hypothesized that structural changes of the lung might correlate with pulmonary function. To answer this question, we correlated findings from high-resolution CT (HRCT) scan and the results of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in patients with ZCSII.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Twenty patients who had been hospitalized with ZCSII-related conditions.


METHODS
The study included HRCT scan scores (0 to 100), static and dynamic lung volumes, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D(LCO)).


RESULTS
HRCT scans and PFTs were performed initially after injury (range, 3 to 21 days) in all patients and during the follow-up period (range, 27 to 66 days) in 10 patients. The predominant CT scan findings were patchy or diffuse ground-glass opacities with or without consolidation. The majority of patients showed a significant reduction of FVC, FEV1, total lung capacity, and D(LCO), but normal FEV1/FVC ratio values. Changes of functional parameters correlated well with HRCT scan scores. Substantial improvements in CT scan abnormalities and pulmonary function were observed at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of our patients with ZCSII presented with a predominant parenchymal injury of the lung that was consistent with a restrictive type of functional impairment and a reduction in Dlco rather than with obstructive disease. Our results suggest that HRCT scanning and pulmonary function testing may reliably predict the severity of ZCSII.
Hsu
Hsian-He
HH
Department of Radiology, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Tzao
Ching
C
Chang
Wei-Chou
WC
Wu
Chin-Pyng
CP
Tung
Ho-Jui
HJ
Chen
Cheng-Yu
CY
Perng
Wann-Cherng
WC
D000336:Aerosols; D002712:Chlorides / Q000506:poisoning*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005107:Explosions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007902:Length of Stay; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015208:Smoke Inhalation Injury / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000506:poisoning*
D000336:Aerosols; D002712:Chlorides; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C016837:zinc chloride