Highlights & Basics
- Inhalation injury occurs when noxious stimuli such as heat, gases, or particulate matter come into contact with the respiratory system.
- Residential fires and workplace accidents are common events that lead to inhalation injury.
- Pathophysiology includes thermal injury, systemic absorption of toxic compounds, and direct cellular injury.
- Clinical manifestations include upper airway obstruction, carbon monoxide poisoning, airflow obstruction, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
- Therapy is largely supportive, although targeted therapies are the subject of active investigation.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
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McCall JE, Cahill TJ. Respiratory care of the burn patient. J Burn Care Rehabil. 2005 May-Jun;26(3):200-6.[Abstract]
ISBI Practice Guidelines Committee, Steering Subcommittee, Advisory Subcommittee. ISBI practice guidelines for burn care. Burns. 2016 Aug;42(5):953-1021.[Abstract][Full Text]
Summerhill EM, Hoyle GW, Jordt SE, et al; ATS Terrorism and Inhalational Disasters Section of the Environmental, Occupational, and Population Health Assembly. An official American Thoracic Society Workshop report: chemical inhalational disasters. Biology of lung injury, development of novel therapeutics, and medical preparedness. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2017 Jun;14(6):1060-72.[Abstract][Full Text]
Weaver LK, Hopkins RO, Chan KJ, et al. Hyperbaric oxygen for acute carbon monoxide poisoning. N Engl J Med. 2002 Oct 3;347(14):1057-67.[Abstract][Full Text]
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38. Palmieri TL. Use of beta-agonists in inhalation injury. J Burn Care Res. 2009 Jan-Feb;30(1):156-9.[Abstract]
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