Chronic obstructive lung disease after ammonia inhalation burns: a report of two cases

Abstract

Anhydrous ammonia is a commonly used chemical in industry. Ammonia gas inhalation causes thermal injuries and alkali burns in the airway and lung parenchyma. Previous case reports have stated that respiratory sequelae after acute ammonia inhalation burns were associated with structural lung disease, such as bronchiectasis or interstitial lung disease. We herein report two cases of long-term sequelae with persistent airflow limitation after ammonia inhalation burns.

Keywords

• ammonia
• chemical burns
• inhalation burns
• obstructive lung diseases
• respiratory function tests