Sand aspiration with near-drowning. Radiographic and bronchoscopic findings.

Abstract

Sand and foreign-body aspiration may accompany drowning and near-drowning, but few details regarding such patients are available in the literature. We report a 26-yr-old woman who suffered near-drowning after a motor-vehicle accident. Initial attempts at ventilation were compromised by increased peak airway pressures, which decreased following the removal of large amounts of sand from the patient's endotracheal tube. Chest radiographs and computed tomographic (CT) scans of the patient obtained upon her arrival in the emergency department demonstrated sand bronchograms within the lower lobes of both lungs, and sand within the maxillary sinuses and stomach. We present the radiographic, bronchoscopic, and microbiologic findings within hours after this patient's accident, with a review of the literature and provisional recommendations for the management of such patients.

• Authors: D P Dunagan, J E Cox, M C Chang, E F Haponik
• Journal: American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine (Am J Respir Crit Care Med) Vol. 156 Issue 1 Pg. 292-5 (Jul 1997) ISSN: 1073-449X [Print] United States
• PMID: 9230763 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Accidents, Traffic
• Adult
• Bronchi
• Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
• Bronchoscopy
• Female
• Foreign Bodies (diagnostic imaging)
• Humans
• Lung (diagnostic imaging)
• Maxillary Sinus (diagnostic imaging)
• Near Drowning
• Radiography