Extensive tracheobronchitis and lung perforation after alkaline caustic aspiration.
Corrosive tracheobronchitis and lung perforation after caustic aspiration are not very common. We present a case of life-threatening acute respiratory system corrosion after aspiration of caustic alkaline crystals during a suicide attempt. The patient survived the severe burns of the tracheobronchial tract and the liquefaction necrosis of the lung lobe by aggressive airway protection procedures and surgical resection of the destroyed lung. We report this rare, clinical condition and discuss the possible mechanism and its management.
Huang
Chung-Chieh
CC
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Chang-Hua City, Taiwan. huang120721@gmail.com
Wu
Hurng-Sheng
HS
Lee
Yung-Chie
YC
D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D002424:Caustics / Q000633:toxicity*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D055370:Lung Injury / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods; D014136:Tracheitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002424:Caustics