Metal fume fever presenting as aseptic meningitis with pericarditis, pleuritis and pneumonitis.
BACKGROUND
Metal fume fever (MFF) is a well-known complication of zinc oxide fume inhalation. Prompt recognition of this condition is essential for the proper medical management of this self-limited disease.


OBJECTIVE
To present a unique and unusual case of MFF.


RESULTS
Our patient is a 25-year-old male welder who had MFF and presented with aseptic meningitis with pericarditis, pleuritis and pneumonitis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of MMF presenting with these signs and symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
MFF can present with a systemic inflammatory response causing a multi-organ serositis. Our case highlights the utmost importance of obtaining an occupational history on all our patients, even if they are critically ill.
Hassaballa
Hesham A
HA
Section of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, 1725 West Harrison Street, Suite 054, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. hhassaba@rush.edu
Lateef
Omar B
OB
Bell
Julian
J
Kim
Eileen
E
Casey
Larry
L
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000633:toxicity*; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008582:Meningitis, Aseptic / Q000139:chemically induced; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000139:chemically induced; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000139:chemically induced; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014896:Welding; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000633:toxicity*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D012906:Smoke; D015034:Zinc Oxide