A Case of Occupational Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Associated with Trichloroethylene.
- Author:
Young Jae KIM
1
;
Eu Dong HWANG
;
Ah Young LEEM
;
Beo Deul KANG
;
Soo Yun CHANG
;
Ho Keun KIM
;
In Kyu PARK
;
Song Yee KIM
;
Eun Young KIM
;
Ji Ye JUNG
;
Young Ae KANG
;
Moo Suk PARK
;
Young Sam KIM
;
Se Kyu KIM
;
Joon CHANG
;
Kyung Soo CHUNG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic; Trichloroethylene; Occupational Exposure; Lung Diseases
- MeSH: Adult; Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic*; Biopsy; Cough; Drug-Induced Liver Injury; Humans; Hypersensitivity*; Lung Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Odors; Skin; Sweat; Trichloroethylene*; Weight Loss
- From:Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2014;76(2):75-79
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a toxic chemical commonly used as a degreasing agent, and it is usually found in a colorless or blue liquid form. TCE has a sweet, chloroform-like odor, and this volatile chlorinated organic chemical can cause toxic hepatitis, neurophysiological disorders, skin disorders, and hypersensitivity syndromes. However, the hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) attributed to TCE has rarely been reported. We hereby describe a case of HP associated with TCE in a 29-year-old man who was employed as a lead welder at a computer repair center. He was installing the capacitors on computer chip boards and had been wiped down with TCE. He was admitted to our hospital with complaints of dry coughs, night sweats, and weight losses for the past two months. HP due to TCE exposure was being suspected due to his occupational history, and the results of a video-associated thoracoscopic biopsy confirmed the suspicions. Symptoms have resolved after the steroid pulse therapy and his occupational change. TCE should be taken into consideration as a potential trigger of HP. Early recognition and avoidance of the TCE exposure in the future is important for the treatment of TCE induced HP.
