Marked recovery from paraquat-induced lung injury during long-term follow-up.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

Paraquat-induced lung injury has been considered a progressive and irreversible disease. The purpose of this study was to report the long-term evolution of lung lesions in eight survivors with significant paraquat-induced lung injuries who could be followed-up for longer than 6 months.

METHODS:

We retrospectively examined high-resolution computed tomography and pulmonary function test of eight survivors with significant paraquat-induced lung injurys.

RESULTS:

High-resolution computed tomography revealed a predominant pattern of irregularly shaped consolidation with traction bronchiectasis at 1-2 months after paraquat poisoning, a mixed pattern of irregularly shaped consolidation and ground-glass opacity at 3-12 months, and a mixed pattern of consolidation, ground-glass opacity, and honeycombing at 1-2 years. At 3-12 months after paraquat ingestion, the areas of consolidation had markedly decreased and the decreased lung volume had returned to normal. At 1-2 years after paraquat poisoning, the cystic changes had disappeared. At 2-3 years after paraquat poisoning, the decrease in forced vital capacity had greatly improved to the normal range.

CONCLUSIONS:

Recovery of nearly normal pulmonary structure and function may occur over several years following paraquat poisoning. Pulmonary function (both forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec) evolved toward normal in the long-term survivors of paraquat poisoning with initial prominent lung injuries.

• Authors: Kwon-Hyun Lee, Hyo-Wook Gil, Young-Tong Kim, Jong-Oh Yang, Eun-Young Lee, Sae-Yong Hong
• Journal: The Korean journal of internal medicine (Korean J Intern Med) Vol. 24 Issue 2 Pg. 95-100 (Jun 2009) ISSN: 1226-3303 [Print] Korea (South)
• PMID: 19543486 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Herbicides
• Paraquat

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Bronchiectasis (chemically induced)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Forced Expiratory Volume
• Herbicides (toxicity)
• Humans
• Lung (diagnostic imaging, drug effects, physiopathology)
• Lung Injury (chemically induced, diagnostic imaging, physiopathology, therapy)
• Lung Volume Measurements
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Paraquat (toxicity)
• Pulmonary Fibrosis (chemically induced)
• Recovery of Function
• Retrospective Studies
• Survivors
• Time Factors
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Vital Capacity
• Young Adult