[Acute respiratory distress syndrome following inhalation of barium sulfate].
BACKGROUND
Barium sulfate (BS) is chosen to explore swallowing disorders because of its reduced osmolality allowing no adverse reaction if aspirated in the bronchial tree.


METHODS
A 66-years old man treated for an advanced stage mesothelioma experienced a BS aspiration during an esophagography. He developed 3 days after an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and deceased. The post-mortem examination revealed a diffuse alveolar damage (DAD).


CONCLUSIONS
Whereas BS aspiration is generally well tolerated, serious adverse event as a DAD would exceptionally occurs. Thus, a close watch over respiratory symptoms has to be kept after BS administration, especially in debilitated and elderly patients.
Gernez
Y
Y
Service de Réanimation Médicale, Hôpital Sainte-Marguerite, Faculté de Médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France.
Barlési
F
F
Doddoli
C
C
Chetaille
B
B
Forel
J M
JM
Astoul
P
P
Papazian
L
L
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D001466:Barium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate