BACKGROUND: Volatile crude oil derivates (hydrocarbons) are becoming more and more widely used in homes and during leisure activities. This leads to a high rate of intoxications with these products in children (5% of all pediatric intoxications, 25% of all lethal intoxications). Clinical courses, pathophysiology, and therapy of these intoxications are referred and studied. METHODS: Based on a literature review and 3 cases reports with different clinical courses, intoxications with volatile hydrocarbons are analyzed. RESULTS: The inhalation of volatile hydrocarbons causes an ARDS. This explains the high mortality. Early oxygen-treatment with PEEP-ventilation, however, facilitates a favourable outcome without residual defects as we demonstrate in one case. Another patient needs prolonged ventilatory support after a delayed start of therapy. A third patient cannot be saved even with ECMO. CONCLUSIONS: Initial pulmonary symptoms after hydrocarbon intoxication, such as coughing and cyanosis, are signs for a severe course. Immediate hospitalization with repetitive chest x-rays and adequate instant therapy are the only option to reduce the high mortality of this intoxication.
BACKGROUND: Volatile crude oil derivates (hydrocarbons) are becoming more and more widely used in homes and during leisure activities. This leads to a high rate of intoxications with these products in children (5% of all pediatric intoxications, 25% of all lethal intoxications). Clinical courses, pathophysiology, and therapy of these intoxications are referred and studied. METHODS: Based on a literature review and 3 cases reports with different clinical courses, intoxications with volatile hydrocarbons are analyzed. RESULTS: The inhalation of volatile hydrocarbons causes an ARDS. This explains the high mortality. Early oxygen-treatment with PEEP-ventilation, however, facilitates a favourable outcome without residual defects as we demonstrate in one case. Another patient needs prolonged ventilatory support after a delayed start of therapy. A third patient cannot be saved even with ECMO. CONCLUSIONS: Initial pulmonary symptoms after hydrocarbon intoxication, such as coughing and cyanosis, are signs for a severe course. Immediate hospitalization with repetitive chest x-rays and adequate instant therapy are the only option to reduce the high mortality of this intoxication.