[Fire-eater's lung].
BACKGROUND
Fire-eaters use kerdan, a petroleum-derivative, during their performances. Its accidental inhalation produces respiratory symptoms known as fire-eater's lung.


METHODS
We report 8 cases of fire-eater's lung and compare their clinical and radiologic data and outcome with those of 44 cases from the French and English-language literature. Presentation is highly characteristic: i) occurrence in young inexperienced subjects; ii) immediate phase characterized by coughing and digestive symptoms; iii) after a latency period, pseudoinfectious lung disease frequently associated with extra-respiratory symptoms, usually digestive; iv) generally favorable clinical and radiological outcome, rarely complicated by pneumatocele or pneumothorax.


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnosis of fire-eater's lung is based on history-taking and characteristic clinical and radiological presentation. Treatment is symptomatic. Prevention relies on educational campaigns about the risks of fire-eating.
Deslee
G
G
Service de pneumologie, Hôpital Maison Blanche, CHU de Reims (51).
Menivale
F
F
Dury
S
S
Perdu
D
D
Quinquenelle
M-C
MC
Betbeze
P
P
Mouchet
B
B
Hirshi
S
S
Lebargy
F
F
D000328:Adult; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D005390:Fires; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D010578:Petroleum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011379:Prognosis; D013997:Time Factors
D010578:Petroleum