Chemical pneumonitis is inflammation of the lung caused by aspirating or inhaling irritants. It is sometimes called a "chemical

pneumonia Pneumonia is an Inflammation, inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as Pulmonary alveolus, alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of Cough#Classification, productive or dry cough, ches ...

", though it is not infectious. There are two general types of chemical pneumonitis: acute and chronic. Irritants capable of causing chemical pneumonitis include vomitus,Stitham, Sean et al
"Chemical Pneumonitis: Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia"
Medline Plus, 2008-8-29. Retrieved on 2009-10-06.

barium Barium is a chemical element; it has symbol Ba and atomic number 56. It is the fifth element in group 2 and is a soft, silvery alkaline earth metal. Because of its high chemical reactivity, barium is never found in nature as a free element. Th ...

used in gastro-intestinal imaging,

chlorine Chlorine is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Cl and atomic number 17. The second-lightest of the halogens, it appears between fluorine and bromine in the periodic table and its properties are mostly intermediate between ...

gas (among other

pulmonary agent A pulmonary agent, or choking agent, is a chemical weapon agent designed to impede a victim's ability to breathe. Such compounds operate by causing a build-up of fluids in the lungs, which then leads to asphyxiation. Exposure of the eyes and sk ...

s), ingested

gasoline Gasoline ( North American English) or petrol ( Commonwealth English) is a petrochemical product characterized as a transparent, yellowish, and flammable liquid normally used as a fuel for spark-ignited internal combustion engines. When for ...

or other petroleum distillates, ingested or skin absorbed

pesticide Pesticides are substances that are used to control pests. They include herbicides, insecticides, nematicides, fungicides, and many others (see table). The most common of these are herbicides, which account for approximately 50% of all p ...

s, gases from

electroplating Electroplating, also known as electrochemical deposition or electrodeposition, is a process for producing a metal coating on a solid substrate through the redox, reduction of cations of that metal by means of a direct current, direct electric cur ...

, smoke and others. It may also be caused by the use of

inhalants Inhalants are a broad range of household and industrial chemicals whose volatile vapors or pressurized gases can be concentrated and breathed in via the nose or mouth to produce intoxication, in a manner not intended by the manufacturer. They ...

. Mendelson's syndrome is a type of chemical pneumonitis. Mineral oil should not be given internally to young children, pets, or anyone with a cough,

hiatal hernia A hiatal hernia or hiatus hernia is a type of hernia in which abdominal organs (typically the stomach) slip through the diaphragm into the middle compartment of the chest. This may result in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or laryng ...

, or nocturnal reflux, because it can cause complications such as

lipoid pneumonia Lipoid pneumonia, also known as lipid pneumonia, is a rare form of lung inflammation (pneumonia) that develops when lipids (fats) enter the bronchial tree through aspiration or inhalation. Signs and symptoms Lipoid pneumonia can present as a fore ...

. Due to its low density, it is easily aspirated into the lungs, where it cannot be removed by the body. In children, if aspirated, the oil can work to prevent normal breathing, resulting in death of brain cells and permanent paralysis and/or

brain damage Brain injury (BI) is the destruction or degeneration of brain cells. Brain injuries occur due to a wide range of internal and external factors. In general, brain damage refers to significant, undiscriminating trauma-induced damage. A common ...

Signs and symptoms

Acute: * Cough * Difficulty Breathing"Chemical Pneumonitis: Causes, Symptoms"
PDRHealth. Retrieved on 2009-10-06 * Abnormal lung sounds (wet or gurgling sounds when breathing) * Chest pain, tightness or burning sensation Chronic: * Persistent cough * Shortness of breath * Increased susceptibility to respiratory illness Symptoms of chronic chemical pneumonitis may or may not be present, and can take months or years to develop to the point of noticeability.

Diagnosis

The pragmatic challenge is to distinguish from aspiration pneumonia with an infectious component because the former does not require antibiotics while the latter does. While some issues, such as a recent history of exposure to substantive toxins, can foretell the diagnosis, for a patient with dysphagia the diagnosis may be less obvious, as the dysphagic patient may have caustic gastric contents damaging the lungs which may or may not have progressed to bacterial infection. The following tests help determine how severely the lungs are affected: * Blood gases (measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood) * CT scan of chest * Lung function studies (tests to measure breathing and how well the lungs are functioning) * X-ray of the chest * Swallowing studies to check if stomach acid is the cause of pneumonitis

Treatment

Treatment is focused on reversing the cause of inflammation and reducing symptoms. Corticosteroids may be given to reduce inflammation, often before long-term scarring occurs. Antibiotics are usually not helpful or needed, unless there is a secondary infection. Oxygen therapy may be helpful.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chemical Pneumonitis Respiratory diseases