Right middle lobe aspiration pneumonia following gasoline siphonage

Hydrocarbon pneumonitis following fuel siphonage: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

People sometimes siphon fuel to fill their tanks. However, this is a potentially dangerous procedure and may cause hydrocarbon pneumonitis. We present the case of a patient with severe hydrocarbon pneumonitis after siphoning fuel. The patient underwent artificial ventilation and was admitted to hospital for 97 days.

METHODS

We review the relevant literature for a better understanding of clinical features and management strategies for hydrocarbon pneumonitis following fuel siphonage.

RESULTS

We reviewed 15 articles, which included 3 original articles and 12 case reports that reported the clinical features of fuel siphonage. In addition, we added our presented case for data analysis. A total of 40 cases were included in this review. The literature review found that hydrocarbon pneumonitis caused by fuel siphonage occurs worldwide and that most patients (80%) became symptomatic within 1 day of aspiration. Cough (70%), chest pain (62.5%), dyspnoea (55%), and fever (52.5%) presented in more than half of all patients. The right middle lobe (80%) was the predominantly involved lung field; more than one-third of patients (36.7%) showed the involvement of two lobes.

CONCLUSION

Patient history, computed tomographic scans of the chest, and bronchoalveolar lavage are the commonly used diagnostic tools. Supportive care remains the foundation of treatment, whereas antibiotics, steroids, and bronchoalveolar lavage are practical therapies. Patients' clinical improvement precedes the resolution of lesions on chest X-ray. Most complications arise from pulmonary lesions. The prognosis of patients suffering from hydrocarbon pneumonitis following fuel siphonage might be improved by accurate diagnosis and appropriate care.

Hydrocarbon pneumonitis masquerading as acute lung injury

Hydrocarbon pneumonitis is an acute, intense pneumonitis resulting from aspiration/inhalation of volatile hydrocarbon compounds with low viscosity and surface tension. The authors describe the case of a 24-year-old male who aspirated diesel while siphoning it from heavy duty crane, developed bilateral pneumonitis and responded to 2-day therapy with non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure ventilation.

CT findings in hydrocarbon pneumonitis after diesel fuel siphonage

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess CT findings in a series of patients with hydrocarbon pneumonitis after diesel fuel siphonage.

CONCLUSION

The characteristic CT findings of hydrocarbon pneumonitis after diesel fuel siphonage are the presence of air-space consolidations with predominant right middle lobe involvement and areas of low attenuation within consolidation. Occasionally, bronchoalveolar lavage is needed to confirm the diagnosis of hydrocarbon pneumonitis by the presence of lipid-laden macrophages on the basis of a history of diesel fuel aspiration.