A Rare Case of Acute Respiratory Distress Due to Hydrochloric Acid Inhalation

Abstract

Although lung injury due to inhalation of Hydrochloric acid (HCl) occurs frequently, imaging findings are not well known. In this case, we aimed to discuss the progression of the patient who developed ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) after inhalation of hydrochloric acid and progressive during follow-up. A 37-year-old female patient who was followed for asthma was admitted to the outpatient clinic with complaints of sudden dyspnea and chest pain after cleaning with bleach at home. In both lungs, patchy glassy opacities and consolidations were observed, progressively progressing towards the periphery. The patient was clinically diagnosed as acute respiratory distress syndrome. Hydrochloric acid was detected as the etiological agent. Hydrochloric acid is a colorless, which is used as a powerful cleaning agent in everyday use. Radiologists should be aware of the radiographic findings of pulmonary intoxication. Some of these may be life-threatening and require urgent diagnosis. When the general condition of the patient is bad and the anamnesis cannot be obtained by clinicians, radiological findings can be recognized, and guidance tips can be given to the clinician. In this way, they should aim to reduce the mortality and morbidity by recognizing the fatal diseases such as ARDS which may develop in patients as a result of intoxication and with early treatment.