Marked recovery from paraquat-induced lung injury during long-term follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
Paraquat-induced lung injury has been considered a progressive and irreversible disease. The purpose of this study was to report the long-term evolution of lung lesions in eight survivors with significant paraquat-induced lung injuries who could be followed-up for longer than 6 months.


METHODS
We retrospectively examined high-resolution computed tomography and pulmonary function test of eight survivors with significant paraquat-induced lung injurys.


RESULTS
High-resolution computed tomography revealed a predominant pattern of irregularly shaped consolidation with traction bronchiectasis at 1-2 months after paraquat poisoning, a mixed pattern of irregularly shaped consolidation and ground-glass opacity at 3-12 months, and a mixed pattern of consolidation, ground-glass opacity, and honeycombing at 1-2 years. At 3-12 months after paraquat ingestion, the areas of consolidation had markedly decreased and the decreased lung volume had returned to normal. At 1-2 years after paraquat poisoning, the cystic changes had disappeared. At 2-3 years after paraquat poisoning, the decrease in forced vital capacity had greatly improved to the normal range.


CONCLUSIONS
Recovery of nearly normal pulmonary structure and function may occur over several years following paraquat poisoning. Pulmonary function (both forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec) evolved toward normal in the long-term survivors of paraquat poisoning with initial prominent lung injuries.
Lee
Kwon-Hyun
KH
Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan, Korea.
Gil
Hyo-Wook
HW
Kim
Young-Tong
YT
Yang
Jong-Oh
JO
Lee
Eun-Young
EY
Hong
Sae-Yong
SY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006540:Herbicides / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055370:Lung Injury / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010269:Paraquat / Q000633:toxicity*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017741:Survivors; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055815:Young Adult
D006540:Herbicides; D010269:Paraquat