Radiological spectrum of lung changes in gas exposed victims
Sharma, P.N.; Gaur, K.J.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 86(Suppl): 39-44
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 3440585 Document Number: 304324
A total of 500 victms exposed to gas leak at the Bhopal Union Carbide Factory were studied by routine chest X-rays, to record the immediate abnormalities seen by the inhalation of the gas: 207 (41.4%) patients showed evidence of a pulmonary reaction consistent with interstitial oedema while 203 (40.6%) revealed alveolar, plus interstitial oedema; 40 (8%) showed destructive lesions like cavitation, pneumomediastinum, surgical emphysema and pneumothorax in addition, 36 (7.2%) had evidence of some pre-existing lung disease like tuberculosis and chronic bronchitis emphysema and 11 (2.2%) showed no abnormality. This spectrum of lung injury cause by gas inhalation was recorded 72 h after the leakage in those patients who had severe dyspnea, cough and chest pain. The possible pathogenesis of the lung abnormalities has been discussed.