title: Toxic alveolitis after inhalation of a water repellent.
abstract: Inhalation of fluorocarbon polymers can cause pulmonary toxicity. Although multiple cases of lung injury have been reported, cellular characterization of the associated alveolitis occurring acutely after inhalation is limited. We report the case of a previously healthy woman who presented at our Emergency Department with an acute pneumonitis following inhalation of a fluorocarbon polymer-based rain-proofing spray. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) performed shortly after the presentation showed an elevated total cell count, with a high proportion of neutrophils (58%) and eosinophils (9%). In addition, a lipid stain (Oil-Red-O-stain) showed a high level of lipid laden macrophages, a marker that could reflect a direct toxic effect of the spray on alveolar cells. The patient made a full recovery after four days of in-hospital observation with supportive care.
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medisch Spectrum Twente Hospitals, Enschede, The Netherlands. G.Epping@mst.nl
authors: Guido
authors: G
authors: Epping
authors: Joop
authors: J
authors: Van Baarlen
authors: Paul D L P M
authors: PD
authors: Van Der Valk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000506:poisoning; D000542:Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage; D005260:Female; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017155:Wettability
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers