Download
1 / 11
110 likes | 236 Vues
Hydrocarbon inhalation, commonly through ingestions or inhalation methods like "huffing," "bagging," or "sniffing," poses significant health risks. These substances can cause direct toxic injury to the lungs, leading to severe symptoms such as coughing, dyspnea, and potential aspiration. The complications include the concerning "sudden sniffing death syndrome," characterized by ventricular dysrhythmias. Initial hallucinations, agitation, and CNS effects complicate the clinical picture. Diagnosis involves integrating history, physical examination, and lab tests. Effective management is crucial to prevent severe outcomes.
E N D
epidemiology • most commonly occur as ingestions or inhalations • "huffing" - the individual soaks a rag with the inhalant and then places it over the mouth and nose • "bagging" - the individual puts the hydrocarbon in a bag (usually a plastic bag) and repeatedly inhales deeply from the bag • "sniffing" - the hydrocarbon is directly inhaled via the nostrils.
pathophys • aspiration risk increases as the viscosity decreases • direct toxic injury to the pulmonary parenchyma and altered surfactant function • coughing, choking, gasping, dyspnea, and burning of the mouth • Initial cxr may be normal but most commonly develops into bilateral infiltrates
toxicity • most worrisome acute complication found in solvent abusers is "sudden sniffing death syndrome” – ventricular dysrythmias • Though hydrocarbons are cns depressents, initial excitatory effects manifested as hallucinations, tremor, agitation, and convulsions occur • Paresthesias • vomiting
diagnosis • composite picture incorporating the findings of the history, physical examination, bedside cardiac and pulmonary monitoring, laboratory tests, and chest radiography
references • Tintinalli, Ch. 193
