Tracheobronchial stenosis following sulfur mustard inhalation

Inhal Toxicol. 2004 Dec 1;16(13):845-9. doi: 10.1080/08958370490506682.

Abstract

Sulfur mustard inhalation leads to different respiratory complications. In this article, we describe late stenotic effects of mustard gas inhalation on major airways. About 15 yr after exposure, suspect cases suffering from severe respiratory disorders underwent complete workup for central airway stenosis. Patients were evaluated with bronchoscopy and tracheal computerized tomography scan. The mean age of patients was 43+/-8 yr. The mean exposure time was 16+/-0.7 yr. The mean time between injury and diagnosis of tracheobronchial stenosis was 11.7+/-4.8 yr. Among the 33 referred cases with no other risk factor of stenosis, 8 cases had significant stenosis in their major airways, confirmed by tracheal computerized tomography scan and bronchoscopy. We conclude that direct toxic effects of sulfur mustard can lead to tracheobronchial stenosis with different degrees of involvement ranging from diffuse tracheal stenosis to stenosis of the isolated left main bronchus or glottic and subglottic stenosis.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation*
  • Adult
  • Bronchi / anatomy & histology
  • Bronchi / drug effects
  • Bronchi / injuries
  • Bronchial Diseases / chemically induced
  • Bronchial Diseases / complications*
  • Bronchial Diseases / diagnosis
  • Bronchoscopy / methods
  • Chemical Warfare Agents / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mustard Gas / administration & dosage
  • Mustard Gas / adverse effects*
  • Patient Selection
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, Spiral Computed / methods
  • Tracheal Stenosis / chemically induced
  • Tracheal Stenosis / complications*
  • Tracheal Stenosis / diagnosis

Substances

  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Mustard Gas