HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:
Guest Access | Sign In via User Name/Password

This Article Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Personal Article Archive Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (4) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hsu, H.-H. Articles by Perng, W.-C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hsu, H.-H. Articles by Perng, W.-C.

Zinc Chloride (Smoke Bomb) Inhalation Lung Injury^*

Clinical Presentations, High-Resolution CT Findings, and Pulmonary Function Test Results

^* From the Department of Radiology (Drs. Hsu, Chang, and Chen), the Department of Surgery (Dr. Tzao), Division of Thoracic Surgery, the Department of Internal Medicine (Drs. Wu and Perng), Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and the Department of Humanity and Social Studies (Dr. Tung), Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.

Correspondence to: Wann-Cherng Perng, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, 325, Section 2, Nei Hu, Cheng Kung Rd, Taipei, Taiwan 114, ROC; e-mail: wperng{at}ms27.hinet.net

Study objectives: Zinc chloride smoke inhalation injury (ZCSII) is uncommon and has been rarely described in previous studies. We hypothesized that structural changes of the lung might correlate with pulmonary function. To answer this question, we correlated findings from high-resolution CT (HRCT) scan and the results of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in patients with ZCSII.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: University hospital.

Patients: Twenty patients who had been hospitalized with ZCSII-related conditions.

Measurements: The study included HRCT scan scores (0 to 100), static and dynamic lung volumes, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO).

Results: HRCT scans and PFTs were performed initially after injury (range, 3 to 21 days) in all patients and during the follow-up period (range, 27 to 66 days) in 10 patients. The predominant CT scan findings were patchy or diffuse ground-glass opacities with or without consolidation. The majority of patients showed a significant reduction of FVC, FEV₁, total lung capacity, and DLCO, but normal FEV₁/FVC ratio values. Changes of functional parameters correlated well with HRCT scan scores. Substantial improvements in CT scan abnormalities and pulmonary function were observed at follow-up.

Conclusions: The majority of our patients with ZCSII presented with a predominant parenchymal injury of the lung that was consistent with a restrictive type of functional impairment and a reduction in DLCO rather than with obstructive disease. Our results suggest that HRCT scanning and pulmonary function testing may reliably predict the severity of ZCSII.

Key Words: ARDS • high-resolution CT • pulmonary function tests • zinc chloride smoke inhalation injury

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K.-L. Huang, C.-W. Chen, S.-J. Chu, W.-C. Perng, and C.-P. Wu Systemic Inflammation Caused by White Smoke Inhalation in a Combat Exercise Chest, March 1, 2008; 133(3): 722 - 728. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]