RESUMO
The authors present the case of a 48 years old man having an exposure to irritant gases (azotic and lactic acids) in a closed space, inhaling them for 5 minutes. Shortly after the accident the patient displayed the signs of corneal and conjunctival burn; several days afterwards respiratory symptoms appeared: shortness of breath, dyspnea to minor efforts, then nocturnal dyspnea and orthopnea. Chest X-ray, CT scan, complex lung function tests and bronchoalveolar lavaje, together with the history of recent exposure to irritant gases led to the diagnosis of hypersensitivity obliterant bronchiolitis. Oral corticoids in dose of 60 mg/day determined a substantial clinical, radiological and functional improvement. The authors make some comments on the need of early diagnosis and efficient treatment.
Assuntos
Bronquiolite Obliterante/induzido quimicamente , Intoxicação por Gás/complicações , Exposição Ocupacional/efeitos adversos , Anti-Inflamatórios/uso terapêutico , Bronquiolite Obliterante/diagnóstico , Bronquiolite Obliterante/tratamento farmacológico , Humanos , Ácido Láctico/intoxicação , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Nitrogênio/intoxicação , Prednisona/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
Tracheomalacia is a condition of the neonatal and infant airway, characterized by weakness of the supporting tracheal cartilage and widening of the posterior membranous wall. Together, these factors cause tracheal collapse, especially during times of increased airflow. The diagnosis of major airway collapse depends upon an accurate history combined with proper endoscopic evaluation. Tracheomalacia can be caused by a diffuse process of congenital origin or by a localized abnormality. The cases of acquired tracheomalacia occur with increasing frequency both in children and adults and are often not clearly recognized. These lesions may result from indwelling tracheostomy and endobronchial tube, chest trauma, chronic tracheobronchitis, inflammation (relapsing polychondritis), secondary to pulmonary resection, tracheal malignancy (cylindroma), and idiopathically. We present the case of a 59 years old male with acquired tracheobronchomalacia, associated with tracheopatia osteochondroplasica, secondary to COPD and a chronic parenchimal infection, on a diabetes mellitus type II background.