Systemic toxicity following gasoline aspiration.

The major cause of mortality and morbidity associated with the ingestion of aliphatic hydrocarbon products is related to pulmonary aspiration. Despite the high frequency of the ingestions, there is little documentation of nonpulmonary toxic effects of petroleum distillates. Two cases of gasoline aspiration/ingestion that resulted in probable intravascular hemolysis are reported. In one of these cases, the patient also manifested a consumptive coagulopathy, acute renal failure and elevation of transaminase enzymes. With modern intensive pulmonary care, the outlook for patients with petroleum distillate aspiration is good, but any documented extrapulmonary manifestations of this condition may be important in the overall management of these patients.