title: A case of occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis associated with trichloroethylene.
abstract: Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a toxic chemical commonly used as a degreasing agent, and it is usually found in a colorless or blue liquid form. TCE has a sweet, chloroform-like odor, and this volatile chlorinated organic chemical can cause toxic hepatitis, neurophysiological disorders, skin disorders, and hypersensitivity syndromes. However, the hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) attributed to TCE has rarely been reported. We hereby describe a case of HP associated with TCE in a 29-year-old man who was employed as a lead welder at a computer repair center. He was installing the capacitors on computer chip boards and had been wiped down with TCE. He was admitted to our hospital with complaints of dry coughs, night sweats, and weight losses for the past two months. HP due to TCE exposure was being suspected due to his occupational history, and the results of a video-associated thoracoscopic biopsy confirmed the suspicions. Symptoms have resolved after the steroid pulse therapy and his occupational change. TCE should be taken into consideration as a potential trigger of HP. Early recognition and avoidance of the TCE exposure in the future is important for the treatment of TCE induced HP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; The Institute of Chest Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Jae
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; The Institute of Chest Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Eu Dong
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; The Institute of Chest Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ah Young
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Leem
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Beo Deul
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo Yun
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ho Keun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: In Kyu
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; The Institute of Chest Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Song Yee
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; The Institute of Chest Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; The Institute of Chest Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Ye
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; The Institute of Chest Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Ae
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; The Institute of Chest Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Moo Suk
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; The Institute of Chest Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Sam
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; The Institute of Chest Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Se Kyu
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; The Institute of Chest Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Joon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; The Institute of Chest Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Soo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Chung
keywords: Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic; Lung Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Trichloroethylene