A Case of Lung Injury Caused by Ammonia-Gas Inhalation

We have experienced a case of lung injury caused by accidental inhalation of ammonia gas in a 34 year-old-man. By the explosion of ammonia tank in a refrigerator boat he inhaled ammonia gas. Several minutes later, he suffered from severe dyspnea and visual loss. On arrival at emergency room, analysis of arterial blood gas revealed severe hypoxemia and his chest film showed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Under the impression of adult respiratory distress syndrome, mechanical ventilator was applied to the patient. After recovery from ARDS and tracheal edema, he complained of some hemoptysis and productive sputum during the admission. So we checked bronchoscopy and bronchograpy which showed tracheal bullae just above carina and tubular bronchiectatic change in the right lower lobe. We report a case of lung injuries-ARDS, tracheal bullae, and bronchiectasis-caused by inhalation of ammonia gas with the review of the relevant literatures.