Sequential radiologic and functional pulmonary changes in patients with paraquat intoxication.
The sequential changes of paraquat-induced pulmonary damage were studied using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in long-term follow-up. Among the cohort of 27 patients who had ingested paraquat, the HRCT findings showed a normal (n = 14) and an abnormal group (n = 13). Increased paraquat ingestion in the abnormal group was associated with more rapid and severe pulmonary changes. Ground-glass opacity on HRCT peaked on day 7 after ingestion. Between 2 weeks and 1 month, consolidation increased and pulmonary fibrosis progressed, and slow improvements were observed for up to six months. Compared with the PFT results obtained at 1 and 6.5 months, FVC, FEV1, and diffusing capacity all improved slightly. Lung changes after paraquat intoxication are functionally and radiologically reversible following treatment.
Huh
Jin Won
JW
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, 388-1, Pungnap-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Korea.
Hong
Sang Bum
SB
Lim
Chae-Man
CM
Do
Kyung-Hyen
KH
Lee
Jin Seoung
JS
Koh
Younsuck
Y
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006540:Herbicides / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000139:chemically induced; D010269:Paraquat / Q000506:poisoning*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D006540:Herbicides; D010269:Paraquat