title: High-pressure cornstarch inhalation--a rare but life-threatening occupational injury.
abstract: Cornstarch is a white, taste- and odorless powder widely used for food processing, papermaking, production of industrial adhesives, and is also a component of many cosmetic products. We herein report a case of severe cornstarch inhalation in a 49-year-old male who was exposed to high amounts of cornstarch powder while unloading a cornstarch transporter system. To our knowledge this is the first report on a high-pressure cornstarch inhalation during occupational activities. This report demonstrates the initial clinical situation, the patient's symptoms, and the severe clinical course. Finally the problems during the management of this rare but life-threatening accident are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery and Burn Center, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany. jstromps@ukaachen.de
authors.forename: Jan-Philipp
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Stromps
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Demir
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pallua
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage / Q000379:methods; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004391:Dust; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013213:Starch / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust; D013213:Starch