title: Phosgene exposure: a case of accidental industrial exposure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Phosgene is a rare exposure with strong clinical implications. We report a phosgene exposure that resulted in the patient's death.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 58 year-old man arrived to the emergency department 1 hour after exposure to phosgene with complaints of a sore throat. Initial vital signs were blood pressure 175/118 mmHg, heart rate 98/min, respirations 12/min, and oxygen saturation of 93% on room air. Physical exam revealed few scattered rhonchi, without signs of distress. Initial arterial blood gases (ABG's) revealed pH 7.42, pCO2 43 mmHg, pO2 68 mmHg, HCO3 27 meq/L, and oxygen saturation of 93% on room air. Initial chest x-ray 2 hours after the exposure demonstrated clear lung fields. Approximately 2.5 hours after the exposure, he began complaining of dyspnea, restlessness and his oxygen saturation dropped below 90%. He received nebulized albuterol, 1 gram intravenous methylprednisolone, and 100 % oxygen via face mask. Minimal improvement was noted and he was intubated. The post intubation chest x-ray, 3.5 hours after the exposure, revealed diffuse alveolar infiltrates. Acetylcysteine, terbutaline, and IV steroids were administered without improvement. The patient died 30 hours after exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are many misunderstandings concerning phosgene due to its rare presentation. Traditional treatment modalities are often unproven in human trials and were unsuccessful in this case.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case highlights the significant toxicity that results from phosgene exposure and the challenges of the limited treatment modalities. There is concern for the use of this agent in chemical terrorism.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, PO Box 800774, Charlottesville, VA, 22908-0774, USA, lsh6j@virginia.edu.
authors.forename: Lewis S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Hardison
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Anthony F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Pizon
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D002617:Chemical Industry; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity; D018450:Disease Progression; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010705:Phosgene / Q000633:toxicity*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D014903:West Virginia; D000078329:Workforce
chemical_list: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010705:Phosgene