Inhalation injury: Difference between revisions
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
* Inhalational injury a concern with history of being trapped in enclosed space for some time with toxic gases / fumes | |||
==Clinical Features== | ==Clinical Features== | ||
===General=== | |||
* Initial signs/symptoms - [[cough]], [[wheezing]], [[dyspnea]], irritated mucous members (runny eyes/nose), [[chest pain]], [[hypoxia]] | |||
* Specific features dependent on type of exposure | |||
===Inert Gases=== | |||
* Inert gases (carbon dioxide, fuel gases) displace air and oxygen producing asphyxia | |||
* Present with severe [[hypoxia]] | |||
===Irritant Gases=== | |||
* Irritant gases ([[ammonia toxicity|ammonia]], formaldehyde, [[chlorine gas|chlorine]], nitrogen dioxide) when dissolved in water lining respiratory tract produce a [[chemical burns|chemical burn]] and inflammatory response | |||
* More soluble the gas produces more upper airway burns/irritation symptoms | |||
* Less soluble gases produce more pulmonary injury and [[respiratory distress]] | |||
===Systemic Toxins=== | |||
* Includes [[carbon monoxide]], hydrogen [[cyanide]], [[hydrogen sulfide]] | |||
* Interfere with delivery of oxygen for use in cellular energy production | |||
* Liver, kidney, brain, lung and other organ damage | |||
===Allergic=== | |||
* Inhaled gases, particles, aerosols | |||
* Produce bronchospasms and edema similar to [[asthma]] | |||
===[[Smoke inhalation injury|Smoke Inhalation / Thermal]]=== | |||
* Most fatalities from burn injuries are attributed to smoke inhalation | |||
* Soot in posterior pharynx, singed nasal hair | |||
* Hyperacute - severe [[wheezing]], [[bronchoconstriction]], significant [[hypoxemia]] | |||
* Acute [[pulmonary edema]] - onset at 48-72 hours post injury in a previously asymptomatic patient | |||
* Broncho[[pneumonia]] often at 10 days post-injury | |||
==Differential Diagnosis== | ==Differential Diagnosis== | ||
{{Inhalation exposure}} | {{Inhalation exposure}} | ||
{{Burn DDX}} | |||
==Evaluation== | ==Evaluation== | ||
*Look for evidence of exposure | |||
** Estimated time of exposure | |||
** Open or enclosed space | |||
** Associated events such as fire, blast, etc.? | |||
** Is the exposure known? | |||
** Material on patient? Does patient smell of chemical? | |||
: Examples - smoke inhalation from burning building, leak of a solvent, chemical fumes | |||
* Physical examination with focus on airway and pulmonary system | |||
* Observe for evidence of airway compromise or respiratory distress | |||
* [[Chest x-ray]], pulse oximetry, [[ABG|arterial blood gas]] | |||
* Consider [[carbon monoxide toxicity|carboxyhemoglobin]] and/or [[cyanide]] level if any suspicion based on history | |||
==Management== | ==Management== | ||
===General=== | |||
* Separate patient from fumes/toxic agent | |||
* Decontaminate if not done on scene | |||
* Secure airway if necessary and ventilate, observe for respiratory distress and airway compromise | |||
* [[Oxygen]] at 6-12 liters per minute via mask | |||
===Inert Gases=== | |||
* Remove victim from the gas | |||
* Fresh air or oxygen | |||
* Observe for sequelae from [[hypoxia]] ([[myocardial infarction]], cerebral injury) | |||
===Allergic=== | |||
* Aerosolized [[bronchodilators]] | |||
* [[Corticosteroids]] in patients with history of reactive airway disease | |||
===Smoke Inhalation / Thermals=== | |||
* Ensure adequate oxygenation, ventilation, pulmonary toilet and [[IVF|fluid resuscitation]] | |||
==Disposition== | ==Disposition== | ||
* Respiratory distress or airway compromise will need admission | |||
* Observe for 1-4 hours if no signs or symptoms of inhalation injury develop or if all resolved within 1 hour consider discharging patient home with instructions for return for re-evaluation next day or sooner if pulmonary and/or airway symptoms develop | |||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
*[[Smoke inhalation injury]] | |||
*[[Burns]] | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Environmental]] [[Category:Toxicology]] | |||
Latest revision as of 20:14, 17 April 2024
Background
- Inhalational injury a concern with history of being trapped in enclosed space for some time with toxic gases / fumes
Clinical Features
General
- Initial signs/symptoms - cough, wheezing, dyspnea, irritated mucous members (runny eyes/nose), chest pain, hypoxia
- Specific features dependent on type of exposure
Inert Gases
- Inert gases (carbon dioxide, fuel gases) displace air and oxygen producing asphyxia
- Present with severe hypoxia
Irritant Gases
- Irritant gases (ammonia, formaldehyde, chlorine, nitrogen dioxide) when dissolved in water lining respiratory tract produce a chemical burn and inflammatory response
- More soluble the gas produces more upper airway burns/irritation symptoms
- Less soluble gases produce more pulmonary injury and respiratory distress
Systemic Toxins
- Includes carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulfide
- Interfere with delivery of oxygen for use in cellular energy production
- Liver, kidney, brain, lung and other organ damage
Allergic
- Inhaled gases, particles, aerosols
- Produce bronchospasms and edema similar to asthma
Smoke Inhalation / Thermal
- Most fatalities from burn injuries are attributed to smoke inhalation
- Soot in posterior pharynx, singed nasal hair
- Hyperacute - severe wheezing, bronchoconstriction, significant hypoxemia
- Acute pulmonary edema - onset at 48-72 hours post injury in a previously asymptomatic patient
- Bronchopneumonia often at 10 days post-injury
Differential Diagnosis
Inhalation injury
- Unintentional
- Smoke inhalation injury
- Chloramine
- Hydrocarbons
- Sewer gas
- Hydrazine toxicity
- Nitrogen tetroxide
- Metal fume fever
- Terrorism
- Pulmonary chemical agents
- Ammonia
- Methyl isocyanate
- methyl bromide
- Hydrochloric acid
- Chlorine
- Phosgene
- Bioterrorism
Burns
- Smoke inhalation injury (airway compromise)
- Chemical injury
- Acrolein
- Hydrochloric acid
- Tuolene diisocyanate
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Systemic chemical injury
- Specific types of burns
- Associated toxicities
Evaluation
- Look for evidence of exposure
- Estimated time of exposure
- Open or enclosed space
- Associated events such as fire, blast, etc.?
- Is the exposure known?
- Material on patient? Does patient smell of chemical?
- Examples - smoke inhalation from burning building, leak of a solvent, chemical fumes
- Physical examination with focus on airway and pulmonary system
- Observe for evidence of airway compromise or respiratory distress
- Chest x-ray, pulse oximetry, arterial blood gas
- Consider carboxyhemoglobin and/or cyanide level if any suspicion based on history
Management
General
- Separate patient from fumes/toxic agent
- Decontaminate if not done on scene
- Secure airway if necessary and ventilate, observe for respiratory distress and airway compromise
- Oxygen at 6-12 liters per minute via mask
Inert Gases
- Remove victim from the gas
- Fresh air or oxygen
- Observe for sequelae from hypoxia (myocardial infarction, cerebral injury)
Allergic
- Aerosolized bronchodilators
- Corticosteroids in patients with history of reactive airway disease
Smoke Inhalation / Thermals
- Ensure adequate oxygenation, ventilation, pulmonary toilet and fluid resuscitation
Disposition
- Respiratory distress or airway compromise will need admission
- Observe for 1-4 hours if no signs or symptoms of inhalation injury develop or if all resolved within 1 hour consider discharging patient home with instructions for return for re-evaluation next day or sooner if pulmonary and/or airway symptoms develop