[Acute pneumonia caused by aspiration of hydrocarbons in a fire-eater].
Accidental aspiration of fuel in fire eaters can cause an acute chemical pneumonitis known as 'fire-eater's pneumonia". We report a case in a 29 year-old fire-eater. Six hours after aspiration of kerosene, he developed fever up to 39,5 degrees C, dyspnea, cough and chest pain. Chest radiograph showed infiltrates in the middle and lower parts of the lungs and left pleural effusion. He was treated with an antibiotic and antipiretic therapy and then with corticosteroids. The acute stage lasted four weeks and the patient recovered without sequelae within 3 months. Hazard related to main fuels used for fire eating is discussed.
Vimercati
L
L
Sezione di Medicina del Lavoro B. Ramazzini, DIMIMP, Università di Bari, Italy. l.vimercati@medlav.uniba.it
Lorusso
A
A
Bruno
S
S
Carrus
A
A
Cappello
S
S
Belfiore
A
A
Portincasa
P
P
Palasciano
G
G
Assennato
G
G
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D005390:Fires; D006801:Humans; D007648:Kerosene / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced*
D007648:Kerosene