A Case of Cavitary Lung Lesion as a Consequence of Smoke Inhalation Injury

Toxic gases and soot deposition as a consequence of smoke inhalation can cause direct injury to the upper and lower airways and even to the lung parenchyma. A delay in proper and prompt therapy can be detrimental to critically ill burn patients with an inhalation injury. Therefore, serial chest radiography is an important diagnostic tool for pulmonary complications during treatment. The radiographic findings of the chest include normal, consolidation, interstitial and alveolar infiltrates, peribronchial thickening, atelectasis, cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and a pneumothorax as acute complications of smoke inhalation. In addition, bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis obliterans and pulmonary fibrosis can occur as late complications. We encountered a case of 44-year-old male who presented with acute lung injury after an inhalation injury. He required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation due to respiratory failure. He was managed successfully with conservative treatment. Later, a cavitary lesion of the left upper lobe was observed on the chest radiography and computed tomography, which was complicated by massive hemoptysis during the follow-up. However, the cavitary lesion disappeared spontaneously without any clinical consequences. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2006; 60: 564-570)

keywords: Inhalation, Burn, Radiography.

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Article Contents

Vol.60 No.5

A Case of Cavitary Lung Lesion as a Consequence of Smoke Inhalation Injury

Abstract

Reference

Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases