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Computed tomographic and radiological analysis of HCl injury in human lungs

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Abstract

Although hydrochloric acid (HCl) inhalation-induced lung injury occurs often, its imaging findings are not well-known. In the present study, we retrospectively reviewed imaging studies and clinical data from seven patients who were treated for HCl inhalation, after estimation of in vitro toxicological effects of several strong acids in human lung cells. Cell death in the lungs which increased with prolonged incubation time and concentration of HCl, was predominantly associated with the apoptosis, compared with the necrosis. HCl inhalation-induced lung injuries showed three patterns of computed tomography (CT) findings: ground glass opacities with interstitial thickening suggesting permeability pulmonary edema, irregular linear abnormalities, and centrilobular nodules. These abnormalities tended to improve within 1 week of exposure, leaving only minimal changes. These patterns of imaging illustrations, according to the time frame, may help physicians and radiologists comprehend the pathophysiology of these injuries, and to predict the prognosis of HCl inhalation-induced lung injury.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Euddeum Shim, Eun-Young Kang, Yu Whan Oh, Ki Yeol Lee & Ji Yung Choo

  2. Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Yoonmi Choe, Yeon Ji Chung, Junghan Lee & Meyoung-kon Kim

  3. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Hospital, Seoul, Korea

    Je Hyeong Kim

Authors
  1. Euddeum Shim
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  2. Yoonmi Choe
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  3. Je Hyeong Kim
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  4. Eun-Young Kang
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  5. Yu Whan Oh
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  6. Yeon Ji Chung
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  7. Junghan Lee
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  8. Meyoung-kon Kim
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  9. Ki Yeol Lee
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  10. Ji Yung Choo
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Ki Yeol Lee or Ji Yung Choo.

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Shim, E., Choe, Y., Kim, J.H. et al. Computed tomographic and radiological analysis of HCl injury in human lungs. Mol. Cell. Toxicol. 10, 433–442 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13273-014-0048-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13273-014-0048-1

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