The diversity of wound presentation associated with freon contact frostbite injury.
The authors report two cases of patients presenting with chemical frostbite-like injuries to the hands and wrists after contact exposure to Freon liquid. Although the history and initial physical presentations were quite similar, the severity of these injuries varied widely from superficial bullae to deep tissue injuries, requiring skin grafting and amputation of several digits. Freon is a widely used coolant in refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers, and water coolers, with a boiling point of -41°C. Although several cases of Freon-induced inhalational injury have been reported, few case reports of Freon-associated contact skin injury exist in the literature. The authors detail the broad diversity of injuries resulting from Freon contact as well as the first report of severe Freon injury necessitating skin grafting and amputation of multiple digits.
Wisler
James W
JW
Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Wisler
Jonathan R
JR
Coffey
Rebecca
R
Miller
Sidney F
SF
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000601:surgery*; D005617:Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane; D003646:Debridement; D005627:Frostbite / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008272:Mafenide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D016038:Skin Transplantation
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D005617:Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane; D008272:Mafenide