Toxic alveolitis after inhalation of a water repellent

• Authors: Guido Epping , Joop Van Baarlen , Paul D. Van Der Valk

Abstracts

EN

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.

Keywords

EN

water repellent; toxic alveolitis; acute interstitial pneumonitis; broncho-alveolar lavage; Oil-Red-O-stain

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Year: 2011
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 409-413

Dates

published

2011

Contributors

author

Guido Epping

• Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medisch Spectrum Twente Hospitals, Enschede, The Netherlands

author

Joop Van Baarlen

• Department of Pathology, Medisch Spectrum Twente Hospitals, Enschede, The Netherlands

author

Paul D. Van Der Valk

• Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medisch Spectrum Twente Hospitals, Enschede, The Netherlands

Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/s13382-011-0038-7

Biblioteka Nauki

2185379