Yang KY, Cui ZX. Acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by demulsifier poisoning: A case report. World J Radiol 2024; 16(11): 689-695 [DOI: 10.4329/wjr.v16.i11.689]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Kai-Ying Yang, MBBS, MMed, Doctor, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Panyu Hexian Memorial Hospital of Guangzhou, No. 2 Qinghe East Road, Shiqiao, Panyu District, Guangzhou 511400, Guangdong Province, China. yukoky_yang@163.com
Research Domain of This Article
Respiratory System
Article-Type of This Article
Case Report
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Radiol. Nov 28, 2024; 16(11): 689-695 Published online Nov 28, 2024. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v16.i11.689
Acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by demulsifier poisoning: A case report
Kai-Ying Yang, Zhi-Xin Cui
Kai-Ying Yang, Zhi-Xin Cui, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Panyu Hexian Memorial Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 511400, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Yang KY and Cui ZX contributed to the conception and preparation of this case report; Cui ZX provided clinical expertise and interpretations; Yang KY and Cui ZX were involved in the overall management and treatment of the patient; Yang KY wrote the initial draft of the report; Cui ZX contributed to the revision of the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Informed consent statement: Informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of this case report. The patient was fully informed about the nature of the report, the potential implications of publication, and their right to withdraw consent at any time. Written consent was secured for the use of the patient's medical information and any accompanying images, ensuring confidentiality and anonymity.
Conflict-of-interest statement: Both authors of the manuscript have prepared their respective conflict-of-interest statements.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Kai-Ying Yang, MBBS, MMed, Doctor, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Panyu Hexian Memorial Hospital of Guangzhou, No. 2 Qinghe East Road, Shiqiao, Panyu District, Guangzhou 511400, Guangdong Province, China. yukoky_yang@163.com
Received: August 15, 2024 Revised: September 24, 2024 Accepted: November 12, 2024 Published online: November 28, 2024 Processing time: 103 Days and 18.2 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
This case report emphasizes the potential pulmonary toxicity of demulsifier gas, which is a widely used chemical. To our knowledge, this is the first documented instance of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by inhalation of demulsifier gas. This report underscores the need for increased workplace safety and awareness regarding health risks associated with demulsifiers, particularly in industrial settings. Timely diagnosis and management of ARDS are crucial for improving patient outcomes, thus making this report significant for clinical practice and occupational health literature.
CASE SUMMARY
We present a rare case of acute demulsifier poisoning leading to ARDS in a previously healthy 69-year-old man. He presented with chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and dyspnea following a 30-minute exposure to demulsifier fumes in a poorly ventilated area. Chest computed tomography revealed bilateral diffuse infiltrative shadows. Based on his exposure history and clinical findings, a diagnosis of ARDS due to demulsifier poisoning was confirmed. The patient required high-flow oxygen and intravenous norepinephrine upon admission and was subsequently intubated for mechanical ventilation. Following timely and effective multidisciplinary treatment interventions including emergency care, intensive care, and respiratory medicine, he achieved positive outcomes and was ultimately discharged.
CONCLUSION
This case underscores the critical importance of recognizing chemical exposure risks and their potential to cause severe respiratory complications.
Core Tip: This case report presents the first documented instance of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by demulsifier poisoning, highlighting the potential pulmonary toxicity of these widely used industrial chemicals. The patient, a previously healthy 69-year-old man, developed severe ARDS following inhalation of demulsifier gas, which emphasizes the critical need for enhanced workplace safety measures and awareness. The successful management of this rare case underscores the importance of prompt diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic strategies in mitigating the severe health impacts associated with chemical exposure in occupational settings.
