A Case of Lung Necrosis and Abscess after Paint Thinner Ingestion

ABSTRACT

Paint thinners contain a mixture of volatile organic solvents, including aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene, xylene, and N-hexane. Hydrocarbon pneumonitis is an acute, intense pneumonitis resulting from the aspiration of volatile hydrocarbon compounds with low viscosity and surface tension. Here we report the case of a 60-year-old man admitted to our hospital with chest pain following the ingestion of paint thinner. Aspiration resulted from inducing emesis after ingestion. Acute chemical pneumonitis developed in the right lower lung. The patient's course was further complicated by lung necrosis, abscess, pleural effusion, and pneumothorax. He was treated with pleural adhesiolysis and a right middle lobe wedge resection via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.