title: [Radiographic and computed tomographic manifestations of chest in patients with acute chlorine gas poisoning].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the radiographic and computerized tomographic features of chest in patients with acute chlorine poisoning and its diagnostic value.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight cases of chlorine poisoning were reviewed. And their radiographic and computerized tomographic features were compared and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radiographic findings: among 28 patients, 9 cases were normal and 2 cases had no abnormalities on the first chest X-ray and became abnormal one or two days later. And there were abnormal findings in first chest X-ray in 17 patients:acute tracheal inflammation of peribronchitis (n = 3), acute chemical bronchopneumonia (n = 6) and diffuse interstitial and central pulmonary edema (n = 8). CT manifestations: At Days 1-3, the patients of mild poisoning had scattered patchy dense shadow; those of moderate to severe poisoning showed multiple patchy or diffuse infiltration (ground-glass opacity). And partial consolidation, air bronchogram and pleural effusion could be observed. At Days 4-10, the manifestations of mild poisoning were largely absorbed; those of moderate to severe poisoning manifested the absorption of diffuse or multiple patchy effusion and a fading of shadow. And the size of lung consolidation became smaller than before. At Day 10 after onset, 4 patients completely recovered. At Days 30-40, 6 cases showed traces of fibrous shadow and one case showed small punctiform opacities in both lungs. And at Day 42, there was slight ground-glass change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acute chlorine gas poisoning in varying degrees may manifest acute bronchial pneumonia and acute pulmonary edema. During treatment, a series of chest X-ray examinations will help to follow the changes of disease. And CT examination can offer a more accurate evaluation of lung lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Clinical College of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing PLA Military Command, Nanjing 210002, China.
authors.forename: Zhen-juan
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: De-jian
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Zhong-qiu
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zheng-ge
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shuang-hui
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Zheng-can
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001996:Bronchopneumonia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002713:Chlorine / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D005739:Gas Poisoning / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002713:Chlorine