Uemura Kosuke, Isono Momoko, Kagohashi Katsunori, Hasegawa Ryuichi, Satoh Hiroaki
Division of General Medicine, Mito Medical Center, University of Tsukuba, Mito, Ibaraki 310-0015, Japan.
Division of Respiratory Medicine, Mito Medical Center, University of Tsukuba, Mito, Ibaraki 310-0015, Japan.
Exp Ther Med. 2017 Nov;14(5):5126-5128. doi: 10.3892/etm.2017.5161. Epub 2017 Sep 21.
Chlorine is a toxic inhalant and sources of exposure for individuals include accidental releases of chlorine vapor due to industrial or chemical transportation accidents. Inhalation of a large quantity of gas may cause circulatory and respiratory disorders or even mortality; however, the effects of a small amount of chlorine gas may be asymptomatic. The present case study presents a successfully treated 55-year-old male patient exposed to chlorine gas, resulting in bronchial damage and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Endobronchial and alveolar injuries were evaluated by direct observation using fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FB) and analyzing bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained by FB. Taking a precise medical history from the patient is crucial to correctly diagnose toxic gas inhalation. In addition, a timely and proper evaluation with chest imaging as well as FB may provide useful clinical information. Therefore, clinicians should consider performing FB if the circumstances permit.
氯是一种有毒的吸入剂，个体接触氯的来源包括工业或化学运输事故导致的氯蒸气意外泄漏。吸入大量氯气可能会导致循环和呼吸系统紊乱甚至死亡；然而，少量氯气的影响可能没有症状。本病例研究展示了一名55岁接触氯气的男性患者得到成功治疗，该患者出现了支气管损伤和弥漫性肺泡出血。通过使用纤维支气管镜（FB）直接观察以及分析通过FB获取的支气管肺泡灌洗液体来评估支气管内和肺泡损伤。从患者处获取准确的病史对于正确诊断有毒气体吸入至关重要。此外，及时且恰当的胸部影像学以及FB评估可能会提供有用的临床信息。因此，如果情况允许，临床医生应考虑进行FB检查。
