Clinical characteristics, pathophysiology, and management of hydrocarbon ingestion: case report and review of the literature.

Accidental ingestion of hydrocarbons is an important cause of childhood poisoning. Due to the number of hydrocarbon products available as solvents, fuels, and cleaning agents, increased awareness is necessary on the part of health caretakers. The scope of complications involving the respiratory system in petroleum products ingestion is frequently overlooked. Physicians may thus apply standard therapeutic modalities used in treating common poisonings to the child who drank a petroleum distillate. Prompt recognition of presenting symptoms and understanding of pathophysiology are important to planning and providing treatment. The two cases of hydrocarbon ingestion reported in this paper illustrate the wide spectrum of problems associated with this condition. The pathophysiology, current management, and a review of the literature of hydrocarbon ingestion are presented.