A 45-year-old man with a lung mass and history of charcoal aspiration.
A 45-year-old man was seen in consultation for evaluation of a spiculated right-lower-lobe mass that enlarged over 1 year. The patient had suffered accidental instillation of activated charcoal into the right lung via nasogastric tube 2 years prior to this consultation, with resultant respiratory failure, pneumonia, and pneumothorax. Biopsy of the mass showed anthracosis and granulomatous inflammation. A positron emission tomogram was strongly positive at the lesion, and right-lower-lobectomy with partial diaphragmatic resection was performed. On gross examination of the mass, a charcoal concretion was evident. Histologic examination showed intrinsic and surrounding granulomatous inflammation, but without tumor. The patient recovered uneventfully, and after 1 year had not experienced further complications.
Seder
David B
DB
Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine 04102, USA. sederd@mmc.org
Christman
Robert A
RA
Quinn
Michael O
MO
Knauft
M Elizabeth
ME
D000874:Anthracosilicosis; D002606:Charcoal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008281:Maine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053120:Respiratory Aspiration; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002606:Charcoal