Citation

Epping G, Van Baarlen J, Van Der Valk PD. Int. J. Occup. Med. Environ. Health 2011; 24(4): 409-413.

Affiliation

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medisch Spectrum Twente Hospitals, Enschede, The Netherlands, G.Epping@mst.nl.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz and the Polish Association of Occupational Medicine, Publisher Walter de Gruyter)

DOI

10.2478/s13382-011-0038-7

PMID

22002324

Abstract

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.

Language: en