• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.424-428
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• 1994

Many organic and nonorganic agents can cause chemical pneumonitis. Chemical pneumonitis induced by inhalation of acetic acid is a rare clinical condition. As acetic acid is a water soluble agent, it causes chemical irritation to respiratory tract and causes variable symptoms. We experienced a case of acute lung injury due to inhalation of acetic acid fume. A 56-year-old male patient was admitted due to dyspnea with vomiting for one day. After he inhaled acetic acid fume in occupational situation, he had chest tightness, chilling sense, and productive cough. Our case was good response to oxygen inhalation, antibiotics, and systemic steroids.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.2
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• pp.148-153
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• 2009

Chemical pneumonitis induced by hydrocarbon aspiration is rare in Korea. Kerosene is a petroleum distillate with low viscosity and high volatility. We report two adult cases of chemical pneumonitis caused by the accidental aspiration of kerosene. They were treated successfully with antibiotics and systemic corticosteroids, and recovered without complications.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.33-35
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• 2015

A 24 year-old man attempted suicide by injection of 1 cc of thinner into his left antecubital vein; 3 hours later, he visited our emergency room because of left chest pain. We suspected a chemical pneumonitis based on the abnormal findings of his chest X-ray and computed tomography. On the 3rd day after admission, a cellulitis also occurred at the injection area. His symptoms were relieved after supportive care for 2 weeks. There is significant experience with intoxication of thinner inhalation, whereas intoxication of intravenous thinner is rare.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.639-643
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• 2000

A 33-year-old woman was presented with dyspnea and chest discomfort after indigesting approximately 500ml of oil paint brush washing fluid. Hypoxic symptoms and radiographic infiltrates rapidly progressed. The patient was intubated and received mechanical ventilation. Bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial lung biopsies were performed. The CT scan of the lung showed bilateral extensive pneumonitis with necrosis and the lung tissue pathologic findings showed diffuse alveolar damage with extensive necrosis and numerous lipid-laden macrophages. After intensive medical care with mechanical ventilation, her symptoms and radiological findings improved.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.541-545
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• 2008

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an immunologically-mediated disease resulting from repeated exposure to sensitizing agents, such as organic dusts or chemicals. Isocyanate is a volatile and highly reactive chemical that is extensively used in the manufacturing of automobiles, upholstery, and polyurethane foam. Occupational respiratory diseases associated with isocyanate, such as bronchial asthma, are well-known. It is thought that HP is one of the rare diseases induced by isocyanate with a very low frequency worldwide. We report a case of HP in an automobile painting sprayer which appeared to be associated with isocyanate.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.670-676
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• 2004

Chemical pneumonitis is caused by the inhalation of noxious chemical substances and is a cause of occupational lung disease. Nitric acid, which is a one of the common air pollutants and a potential oxidant for refining and cleansing of metals, has a chance for occupational and environmental exposure. A 52-year-old man visited our hospital due to coughing and dyspnea after the inhalation of nitric acid fumes at his workplace. He had conditions of tachypnea (respiratory rate 26 /min) and hypoxemia ($PaO_2$ 42.6 mmHg, $SaO_2$ 80.2% in room air) in our emergency department. The chest radiographs showed diffuse interstitial infiltrates and ground glass opacity in both lungs. The patient made improvements in clinical symptoms and chest radiography after being given a supply of oxygen, antibiotics, and bronchodilator therapy without systemic glucocorticoid therapy. On his follow up visit after 4 weeks, he showed no symptoms and sequelae, and the pulmonary function test showed a normal pulmonary function.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.3
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• pp.200-208
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• 2021

Background: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an increasingly recognized form of diffuse parenchymal lung disease. Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) is now classified as a human MUC1 mucin protein, and regenerating type II pneumocytes are the primary cellular source of KL-6/MUC1 in the affected lungs of patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Serum KL-6/MUC1 levels have been demonstrated to be useful for the evaluation of various ILD. To determine the role of circulating KL-6 in evaluating the disease activity and management of HP. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 51 patients with HP and 20 healthy controls. Serum KL-6 levels were measured in both groups. Patients were further assessed based on chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), pulmonary function test, 6-minute walk test, echocardiography, bronchioalveolar lavage, and/or transbronchial biopsy. Patients were divided into the fibrotic and non-fibrotic groups according to the HRCT findings. Results: The median serum KL-6 levels were significantly higher in HP patients as compared to the control group. The median serum KL-6 levels were found to be higher in the non-fibrotic HP group (1,900 IU/mL) as compared to the fibrotic group (1,200 IU/mL). There was a significant inverse correlation between serum KL-6 serum level and the dose of steroids as well as the duration of steroid therapy. Conclusion: The presence of higher KL-6 levels in the non-fibrotic HP group implies its enhanced production by regenerating pneumocytes in response to alveolar injury. The significant association between serum KL-6 levels and the dose and the duration of steroid therapy emphasizes the significant role of steroids in the stabilization of the disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.342-347
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• 1989

A 4-year-old male developed the esophageal perforation after air-gun shut injury in the thorax. The esophageal perforation was found on esophagogram at the next day after the accident. Because of delayed diagnosis, mediastinitis and pyopneumothorax were developed. The general conditions of the patient were very critical with sepsis on admission. Therefore, two staged operation was planned. At the first stage, exclusion and diversion of the esophagus was carried out to treat chemical pneumonitis due to gastric contents through the esophago-bronchial fistula by gastroesophageal reflux. Clinical conditions of the patient were improved after the first stage operation. At the second stage, the esophageal reconstruction with right colon was performed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.210-214
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• 2008

Chemical pneumonitis is an occupational lung disease that's caused by the inhalation of chemical substances. Its severity depends on the characteristics of the substances, the exposure time and the susceptibility of the patients. Hydrogen sulfide is not only emitted naturally, but it also frequently found in industrial settings where it is either used as a reactant or it is a by-product of manufacturing or industrial processes. Inhalation of hydrogen sulfide causes various respiratory reactions from cough to acute respiratory failure, depending on the severity. Two pharmaceutical factory workers were admitted after being rescued from a waste water disposal site that contained hydrogen sulfide. In spite that they recovered their consciousness, they had excessive cough and mild dyspnea. The simple chest radiographs and high resolution computed tomography showed diffuse interstitial infiltrates, and hypoxemia was present. They were diagnosed as suffering from chemical pneumonitis caused by hydrogen sulfide. After conservative management that included oxygen therapy, their symptoms, hypoxemia and radiographic abnormalities were improved.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.690-695
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• 2005

Nitric acid is an oxidizing agent used in metal refining and cleaning, electroplating, and other industrial applications. Its accidental spillage generates oxides of nitrogen, including nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$), which cause chemical pneumonitis when inhaled. The clinical presentation of a nitric acid inhalation injury depends on the duration and intensity of exposure. In mild cases, there may be no symptoms during the first few hours after exposure, or the typical symptoms of pulmonary edema can appear within 3-24 hours. However, in cases of prolonged exposure, progressive pulmonary edema develops instantaneously and patients may not survive for more than 24 hours. We report a case of a 44-year-old male who was presented with acute respiratory distress syndrome after nitric acid inhalation. He complained of cough and dyspnea of a sudden onset after inhaling nitric acid fumes at his workplace over a four-hour period. He required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation due to fulminant respiratory failure. He was managed successfully with mechanical ventilation using positive end expiratory pressure and systemic corticosteroids, and recovered fully without any deterioration in his pulmonary function.