Rapid successful management of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage as the primary presentation of chlorine gas inhalation; A rare case report

Abstract

Chlorine-containing bleach, as a common disinfectant, can cause mild to severe symptoms from nasal irritation to life-threatening conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, the toxicity level of chlorine gas depend on the duration and concentration of exposure. Herein, we describe the case of a 44-year-old man admitted to the emergency department with a chief complaint of severe shortness of breathing and hemoptysis following an accidental, short- time exposure to a chlorine-containing bleach. Because the life-threatening condition, he was transferred to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and received mechanical ventilation along with a corticosteroid agent and antibiotic therapy. Despite limited data on management of the severe complications of the exposure, the patient successfully recovered after 4 days.

Keywords

• diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (dah)
• acute respiratory distress syndrome (ards)
• chlorine gas inhalation
• corticosteroids