Korean J Med.  2003 Sep;65(3):308-314.

Long-term prognosis of paraquat-induced lung injury

• Lee EY
• Kim YT
• Yang JO
• Hong SY

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Even though paraquat-induced lung injury has been known as major cause of death after paraquat poisoning, survivors with lung injury after paraquat poisoning has been reported recently. The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term prognosis of paraquat-induced lung injury in survivors with prominent lung injury after paraquat poisoning.
METHODS
The patients with prominent paraquat-induced lung injury after acute paraquat poisoning were followed up in this study. Biochemical data including hemoglobin, white blood cell count, arterial blood gas analysis, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, amylase, lipase, and glucose, high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests were followed up.
RESULTS
The estimated amount of paraquat was 42.9 +/- 37.3 mL and follow-up duration was 3.6 +/- 2.1 years. The early HRCT findings of lung were ground glass opacities, consolidation, cystic changes and decrease of lung volume. The lung lesions were improved 11~20 months later, and these changes were continued to nearly normal findings. The early decrease in forced vital capacity was improved 8~12 months after paraquat poisoning and restored to normal range.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, paraquat-induced lung injury is not an irreversible and progressive change. Not only lung volume is increased, but also lung function is improved over time in long-term survivors after paraquat poisoning with prominent lung injury.

Keyword

Lung; Long-term; Paraquat; High resolution computed tomography

MeSH Terms

Alanine Transaminase
Amylases
Aspartate Aminotransferases
Bilirubin
Blood Gas Analysis
Blood Urea Nitrogen
Cause of Death
Creatinine
Follow-Up Studies
Glass
Glucose
Humans
Leukocyte Count
Lipase
Lung Injury*
Lung*
Paraquat
Poisoning
Prognosis*
Reference Values
Respiratory Function Tests
Survivors
Vital Capacity
Alanine Transaminase
Amylases
Aspartate Aminotransferases
Bilirubin
Creatinine
Glucose
Lipase
Paraquat