Long-term prognosis of paraquat-induced lung injury.
- Author:
Eun Young LEE
1
;
Young Tong KIM
;
Jong Oh YANG
;
Sae Yong HONG
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Medical Colege, Cheonan, Korea. syhong@schch.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Lung;
Long-term;
Paraquat;
High resolution computed tomography
- MeSH:
Alanine Transaminase;
Amylases;
Aspartate Aminotransferases;
Bilirubin;
Blood Gas Analysis;
Blood Urea Nitrogen;
Cause of Death;
Creatinine;
Follow-Up Studies;
Glass;
Glucose;
Humans;
Leukocyte Count;
Lipase;
Lung Injury*;
Lung*;
Paraquat;
Poisoning;
Prognosis*;
Reference Values;
Respiratory Function Tests;
Survivors;
Vital Capacity
- From:Korean Journal of Medicine
2003;65(3):308-314
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Even though paraquat-induced lung injury has been known as major cause of death after paraquat poisoning, survivors with lung injury after paraquat poisoning has been reported recently. The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term prognosis of paraquat-induced lung injury in survivors with prominent lung injury after paraquat poisoning. METHODS: The patients with prominent paraquat-induced lung injury after acute paraquat poisoning were followed up in this study. Biochemical data including hemoglobin, white blood cell count, arterial blood gas analysis, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, amylase, lipase, and glucose, high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests were followed up. RESULTS: The estimated amount of paraquat was 42.9 +/- 37.3 mL and follow-up duration was 3.6 +/- 2.1 years. The early HRCT findings of lung were ground glass opacities, consolidation, cystic changes and decrease of lung volume. The lung lesions were improved 11~20 months later, and these changes were continued to nearly normal findings. The early decrease in forced vital capacity was improved 8~12 months after paraquat poisoning and restored to normal range. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, paraquat-induced lung injury is not an irreversible and progressive change. Not only lung volume is increased, but also lung function is improved over time in long-term survivors after paraquat poisoning with prominent lung injury.
