Diffuse endobronchial polyposis following a titanium tetrachloride inhalation injury.

We report a case of diffuse endobronchial polyps contributing to continued respiratory failure in a patient 5 wk after titanium tetrachloride inhalation injury. After the institution of corticosteroid therapy, the total number and size of remaining polyps were markedly reduced at which time the subject was successfully weaned from the ventilator. Follow-up bronchoscopy at 2 months, 5 months, and 1 yr postinjury revealed gradual but complete resolution of all polyps accompanied by improvement in the patient's obstructive airways disease. This delayed complication of inhalation injury has been previously reported as a complication of thermal respiratory injury, and may be an important contributing factor in prolonged or late respiratory failure in burn patients.