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ISSN 0185-3252 (Print)
Revista de la Asociación Médica del Centro Médico ABC

2000, Number 3

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An Med Asoc Med Hosp ABC 2000; 45 (3)

Bronchopulmonary damage by massive ammonia inhalation

Fernández CR, Palomar LA, Flores ZC, Rozillio HE, Gómez GA

Language: Spanish
References: 14
Page: 128-133
PDF size: 236.40 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Ammonia is an important chemical product for industrial use. Accidental inhalation may produce serious injuries in the upper and lower respiratory tract, and can be life-threatening. We report three cases, who suffered acute exposure to ammonia steam, developing respiratory failure and corneal injuries. One patient required mechanical ventilation, the other two developed mild respiratory failure and corneal epithelial injuries. The three were treated with bronchodilators, antibiotics and steroids. Two months later, still showed clinical evidence of chronic upper respiratory tract irritation. They underwent respiratory functional test and tomography scan that revealed bronchoalveolar injury, and bronchial dilatation suggesting bronchiectasias. Two patients showed bronchial wall edema and mild dilatation. The severity of these findings seems to correlate with the degree of ammonia exposure.


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