J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2009 Apr;20(2):219-222.

A Case of Lung Necrosis and Abscess after Paint Thinner Ingestion

• Kim HM
• Hong TY
• Park KN
• Choi KH
• So BH

Abstract

Paint thinners contain a mixture of volatile organic solvents, including aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene, xylene, and N-hexane. Hydrocarbon pneumonitis is an acute, intense pneumonitis resulting from the aspiration of volatile hydrocarbon compounds with low viscosity and surface tension. Here we report the case of a 60-year-old man admitted to our hospital with chest pain following the ingestion of paint thinner. Aspiration resulted from inducing emesis after ingestion. Acute chemical pneumonitis developed in the right lower lung. The patient's course was further complicated by lung necrosis, abscess, pleural effusion, and pneumothorax. He was treated with pleural adhesiolysis and a right middle lobe wedge resection via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Keyword

Paint thinner; Volatile organic compounds; Lung abscess; Necrosis; Video-assisted thoracic surgery

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Chest Pain
Eating
Hexanes
Humans
Hydrocarbons, Aromatic
Lung
Lung Abscess
Middle Aged
Necrosis
Paint
Pleural Effusion
Pneumonia
Pneumothorax
Solvents
Surface Tension
Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
Toluene
Viscosity
Volatile Organic Compounds
Vomiting
Xylenes
Hexanes
Hydrocarbons, Aromatic
Solvents
Toluene
Volatile Organic Compounds
Xylenes