Pulmonary Complications in Major Burn Patients: Differences in Radiologic and Clinical Findings between Inhaled and Non-inhaled Burn.
10.3348/jkrs.2003.48.5.407
- Author:
Jung Sook KIM
1
;
Eil Seong LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Radiology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital. eslee1@kornet.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Lung, radiography;
Lung, diseases
- MeSH:
Burns*;
Diagnosis;
Edema;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Inhalation;
Pleural Effusion;
Pneumonia;
Pulmonary Atelectasis;
Pulmonary Edema;
Radiography, Thoracic;
Sepsis
- From:Journal of the Korean Radiological Society
2003;48(5):407-412
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To analyze differences in the radiologic and clinical findings of pulmonary complications between an inhalation and non-inhalation group of major burn patients, and to apply the findings to the specific diagnosis of pulmonary complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved 45 major burn patients (18 with inhalation injury, and 27 without) in whom pulmonary complications ensued. Follow-up studies were based on chest radiographs obtained between initial burn day and postburn (PB) 57 (mean, day 27). Types, times of onset, underlying causes, and changes at follow-up study of pulmonary complications between the inhalation and the non-inhalation group were assessed. RESULTS: In the inhalation group, the most frequent complication was air-borne pneumonia (n=7, 39%); others were hydrostatic pulmonary edema (n=5, 28%), ARDS (n=5, 28%), atelectasis (n=5, 28%), inhalation pneumonitis (n=3, 17%), pleural effusion (n=3, 17%), and hematogenous pneumonia (n=1, 6%). In the non-inhalation group, airborne pneumonia (n=8, 30%) was also the most common complication; other were hydrostatic edema (n=6, 22%), ARDS (n=5, 19%), atelectasis (n=5, 19%), pleural effusion (n=5, 19%) and hematogenous pneumonia (n=2, 7%). The average times of onset were as follow: for airborne pneumonia, PB day 13.1 (range, 5-27) in the inhalation group, and PB day 21.7 (10-49) in the non-inhalation group; for hematogenous pneumonia, more than one month, regardless of inhalation; for ARDS, PB day 4.9 (2-15) and PB day 13 (7-20) in the inhalation and non-inhalation group, respectively; and for inhalation pneumonitis, PB day 1.7 (1-3). The most common probable cause of ARDS in the inhalation group was inhalation injury (3/5), and in the noninhalation group, sepsis (4/5). CONCLUSION: In major burn patients, pulnonary complications differed in terms of their onset time and causes between the inhalation group and the non-inhalation group. In such cases, awareness of the presence or absence of inhalation injury and the onset time of pulmonary complications is necessary if complications are to be specifically diagnosed.
