Acute nitrous oxide intoxication: clinical symptoms, pathophysiology and treatment.

Nitrogen dioxide is a representative of the group of compounds which may cause pulmonary symptoms after a symptom free interval. Even when there are no symptoms immediately following exposure to nitrogen dioxide, clinical observation is advisable, because severe pulmonary involvement can be the result. The present paper discusses the clinical symptoms which are observed in man after acute exposure to nitrogen dioxide, as well as the pathophysiological mechanisms involved. Practical therapeutic guidelines are given for dealing with the diagnostic difficulties concerning this type of intoxication.