PULMONARY-LESIONS AFTER THE INHALATION OF NITROUS VAPORS

Nitrous vapours are oxidants and they create fibrosing lesions in the distal bronchioles and alveoli. The degree of oedema in the initial lesion influences the development of acute respiratory failure and the prognosis in the initial term. We have seen a case of acute hypoxic interstitial pneumonia following accidental inhalation of nitrous vapours with lesions of bronchiolitis obliterans. The outcome subsequently followed the usual pattern and there was a complete cure with steroid therapy.