[Transient syndrome of acute irritation of the bronchi induced by single and massive inhalation of phthalic anhydride].

As an evaluation, we report the case of a 38-year-old female tanker driver suffering from "Reactive Airway Dysfunction Syndrome" (RADS). Forty-two months before, she accidentally inhaled a high concentration of gaseous phthalic anhydride. She had never transported this kind of substance before. After her accident, she was forbidden to transport any volatile substances that might harm her airways. She immediately felt a burning of the upper airways and started coughing. Three months later, she complained of wheezing, dyspnea at rest as well as chest tightness. She was diagnosed a bronchial asthmatic by her G.P. and was prescribed low doses of Salbutamol and Dipropionate Beclomethasone. At the time of the evaluation, she was asymptomatic except for coughing. All functional tests were normal except for a PD20 of 0.097 mg/ml for histamine, which clearly reveals bronchial hyperreactivity. We diagnosed "Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome" and suggested she increased the intake of the medicine prescribed. When she came back a year later, she was totally asymptomatic and no longer suffered from bronchial hyperreactivity. This favorable evolution may be observed for these kinds of syndromes, usually helped by medication. Nonetheless, she suffered prejudice as she may no longer transport this kind of volatile and irritating substance.