Tuberc Respir Dis.  2008 Mar;64(3):210-214. 10.4046/trd.2008.64.3.210.

Two Cases of Chemical Pneumonitis Caused by Hydrogen Sulfide

• Kim JH
• Lee KJ
• Jung JY
• Lee EJ
• Jung KH
• Kang EH
• Lee SY
• Lee SY
• Kim JH
• Shin C
• Shim JJ
• In KH
• Kang KH
• Yoo SH

• KMID: 1478183
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2008.64.3.210

Abstract

Chemical pneumonitis is an occupational lung disease that's caused by the inhalation of chemical substances. Its severity depends on the characteristics of the substances, the exposure time and the susceptibility of the patients. Hydrogen sulfide is not only emitted naturally, but it also frequently found in industrial settings where it is either used as a reactant or it is a by-product of manufacturing or industrial processes. Inhalation of hydrogen sulfide causes various respiratory reactions from cough to acute respiratory failure, depending on the severity. Two pharmaceutical factory workers were admitted after being rescued from a waste water disposal site that contained hydrogen sulfide. In spite that they recovered their consciousness, they had excessive cough and mild dyspnea. The simple chest radiographs and high resolution computed tomography showed diffuse interstitial infiltrates, and hypoxemia was present. They were diagnosed as suffering from chemical pneumonitis caused by hydrogen sulfide. After conservative management that included oxygen therapy, their symptoms, hypoxemia and radiographic abnormalities were improved.

Keyword

Hydrogen sulfide; Chemical pneumonitis; Occupational lung disease

MeSH Terms

Anoxia
Consciousness
Cough
Dyspnea
Enzyme Multiplied Immunoassay Technique
Humans
Hydrogen
Hydrogen Sulfide
Inhalation
Lung Diseases
Oxygen
Pneumonia
Respiratory Insufficiency
Stress, Psychological
Thorax
Waste Water
Hydrogen
Hydrogen Sulfide
Oxygen
Waste Water

Figure

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  Figure 1 Chest X-ray on admission (A) showed mild infiltrates on both lower lung zone and diffuse ground-glass opacities were observed at both lower lung fields on high resolution computed tomography (B). At second day infiltrations of both lower lung zone worsened (C), but these infiltration resolved with improvement of clinical symptoms after conservative managements (D).

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  Figure 2 Chest X-ray on admission (A) showed mild infiltrates on left mid lung zone and diffuse ground-glass opacities were observed at left upper lobe on high resolution computed tomography (B). At second day the infiltration was aggravated (C), but these infiltration resolved after conservative managements (D).

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