title: Inhalant abuse of computer cleaner manifested as angioedema.
abstract: Inhalant abuse is the intentional inhalation of chemical vapors or volatile substance to achieve a euphoric effect. Although no statistical data are reported yet, inhalant abuse is potentially life-threatening and has resulted in a wide range of toxic effects such as central nervous system depression, seizures, aspiration, cardiac arrhythmia, asphyxiation, hypoxia, metabolic acidosis, and sudden death among others. We are reporting a 25-year-old white man who was brought to the emergency department after inhaling aerosolized computer-cleaning spray composed of difluoroethane. He was found to have marked upper and lower lip facial swelling consistent with angioedema. The patient also had a prolonged QT interval, mild inspiratory stridor, but no urticaria. In this case, we believe the difluoroethane-related angioedema represents either idiopathic or bradykinin-induced angioedema.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine,Roger Williams Medical Center/Boston University School of Medicine, Providence, RI 02908, USA. peter.kurniali@gmail.com
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Kurniali
authors.forename: Letitia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kurl
authors.forename: Joseph V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Meharg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000799:Angioedema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003902:Detergents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated / Q000009:adverse effects*; D058545:Inhalant Abuse / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D003902:Detergents; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; C059268:1,1-difluoroethane