Tuberc Respir Dis.  2007 Mar;62(3):223-226. 10.4046/trd.2007.62.3.223.

A Case of Acute Lung Injury Caused by Tetrafluoroethylene Inhalation

• Lee SO
• Choi EJ
• Kim KY
• Kim JC
• Park JC
• Jung CY
• Kim YJ
• Lee BK

• KMID: 1518468
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2007.62.3.223

Abstract

Tetrafluoroethylene is a colorless gas that can be used to synthesize a variety of fluoride compounds by polymerization (e.g., Teflon). Fluoride compounds have many applications in industry. There are several reports of inhalation injury from the pyrolytic product of fluoride compounds. When the polymer is heated under the conditions of inadequate ventilation, the fumes can cause polymer fume fever or pulmonary edema which manifested as symptoms such as fever, chill, profuse sweating, cough and dyspnea. However there are no reports of a direct lung injury caused by tetrafluoroethylene. We report a case of a 27-year-old male presented with acute lung injury after inhaling concentrated tetrafluoroethylene. He complained of cough and dyspnea after the accidental inhalation of tetrfluoroethylene at his workplace. The symptoms improved without any complications after conservative treatment with oxygen and steroid.

Keyword

Tetrafluoroethylene; Lung injury; Pulmonary edema

MeSH Terms

Acute Lung Injury*
Adult
Cough
Dyspnea
Fever
Fluorides
Hot Temperature
Humans
Inhalation*
Lung Injury
Male
Oxygen
Polymerization
Polymers
Pulmonary Edema
Sweat
Sweating
Ventilation
Fluorides
Oxygen
Polymers

Figure

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  Figure 1 Chest roenterogram. Diffuse bilateral lobular or confluent infiltrates on admission (A). 3 days later, complete resolution of lung lesion (B).

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  Figure 2 Finding of high resolution chest CT scan. Diffuse bilateral ground glass opacity on admission (A). 7 admission days, complete resolution of lung lesion (B).

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