Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Case Report

Severe bilateral hydrocarbon pneumonitis requiring surgical drainage following accidental aspiration of industrial cleaning solvent in a seafarer: a case report: Sang-Heon Cho, Jong Gill Jeong; Ann Occup Environ Med 2026;38:e8. Published online March 11, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2026.38.e8

Abstract Abstract in Korean PDF: Background
Hydrocarbon pneumonitis is typically self-limiting, and severe complications, such as lung abscesses, are rare. Here, we report the case of a seafarer who developed bilateral lung abscesses after aspirating an industrial cleaning solvent, highlighting the aggravating role of delayed medical care and improper first-aid measures in a maritime setting.
Case presentation
A 46-year-old seafarer presented with dyspnea, 3 days after accidentally ingesting a hydrocarbon-based solvent that he mistook for water. Although he immediately spat out the fluid, he aspirated a small amount. His condition rapidly deteriorated to necrotizing pneumonia with bilateral lung abscesses, as confirmed by chest computed tomography. Despite empirical antibiotic therapy, the abscess worsened, necessitating a video-assisted thoracic surgery for drainage. The patient recovered after surgery and underwent a prolonged course of antibiotic therapy.
Conclusions
This case underscores the potential for life-threatening complications from industrial solvent aspiration, exacerbated by delayed medical care and forceful spitting. Strict workplace safety protocols, including the prohibition of storing chemicals in food containers to avoid confusion, and awareness about not inducing vomiting after ingestion, are essential to prevent such severe occupational injuries.; Background:
탄화수소에 의한 폐렴은 일반적으로 자연 치유되는 경과를 보이며, 폐농양과 같은 심각한 합병증은 드물다. 본 증례에서는 산업용 세척 용제를 흡인한 후 양측성 폐농양으로 발전한 선원의 사례를 보고하며, 특히 해상 환경에서의 지연된 의료 처치와 부적절한 응급처치가 병세를 악화시키는 요인임을 강조하고자 한다.
Case presentation:
46세 선원이 탄화수소 계열의 용제를 물로 오인하여 우발적으로 섭취한 지 3일 후 호흡곤란을 주소로 내원하였다. 환자는 즉시 액체를 뱉어냈으나, 그 과정에서 소량을 흡인하였다. 환자의 상태는 급격히 악화되어 괴사성 폐렴 및 양측성 폐농양으로 진행되었으며, 이는 흉부 컴퓨터단층촬영을 통해 확인되었다. 경험적 항생제 치료에도 불구하고 농양은 악화되었고, 결국 배농을 위한 비디오 흉강경 수술을 시행하였다. 환자는 수술 후 회복되었으며, 장기간의 항생제 치료를 받았다.
Conclusions:
본 증례는 산업용 용제 흡인이 생명을 위협하는 합병증을 유발할 수 있음을 보여주며, 이러한 위험은 의료 처치의 지연과 흡인 위험을 높이는 강하게 뱉어내는 행위로 인해 더욱 악화될 수 있음을 시사한다. 혼동을 방지하기 위해 식품 용기에 화학물질 보관을 금지하는 등의 엄격한 작업장 안전 수칙 준수와, 섭취 후 억지로 구토를 유발하지 않아야 한다는 점에 대한 인식 제고는 이러한 심각한 직업성 손상을 예방하는 데 필수적이다.

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Research Article

Risk factors associated with mortality from pneumonia among patients with pneumoconiosis: Bum Seak Jo, Jongin Lee, YounMo Cho, Junsu Byun, Hyoung Ryoul Kim, Jung Wan Koo, Jun Pyo Myong; Ann Occup Environ Med 2016;28:19. Published online April 7, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-016-0103-6

Abstract PDF

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate factors associated with increased risk of mortality from pneumonia among patients with pneumoconiosis.

Methods

Medical records of 103 pneumoconiosis patients hospitalized for pneumonia were investigated. Seven patients who had lung cancer or other malignancy and 13 patients with insufficient medical record were excluded. Two female patients were excluded due to small number to analyze. The subjects were divided into two groups by clinical outcome of pneumonia, the deceased group and the survival group. The two groups were compared in terms of age, smoking history, episode of recent pneumonia, concomitancy of interstitial fibrosis or fungal ball infection, extent of small opacities, grade of large opacities and results of spirometry. Multiple logistic regression was applied to determine the association between these variables and mortality from pneumonia.

Results

The deceased group showed more frequent history of recent pneumonia (p = 0.006), higher prevalence of interstitial fibrosis (p = 0.007) and longer hospitalization period (p = 0.044). The proportion of subjects who had decreased FVC, less than 70 % of predicted value, was higher in the deceased group (p < 0.001). In multiple logistic regression, after adjusting age, smoking history, recent pneumonia, fungal ball, large opacity, profusion and FVC (or FEV₁) less than 70 % of predicted value, history of recent pneumonia, concomitancy of interstitial fibrosis, type of pneumoconiosis and fungal ball presented statistically significant association with mortality from pneumonia.

Conclusions

The concomitancy of fungal ball or interstitial fibrosis, history of recent pneumonia within last 90 days, type of pneumoconiosis, FVC less than 70 % of predicted value, FEV₁ less than 70 % of predicted value presented statistically significant association with mortality from pneumonia. More attention should be given to patients who have such factors when treating pneumonia with pneumoconiosis.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

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Original Article

Effect of Human Immunoglobulin G in Pneumoconiotic Patients with Pneumonia: Je Hyuk Mun, Jin Suk Chung, Kyoung Ah Kim, Young Lim, Ho Woo Nam, Joong Soo Han; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2002;14(2):134-142. Published online June 30, 2002; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2002.14.2.134

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
It is well known that pneumoconiotic patients experience impairments of macrophage function, as well as poor penetration of drugs into the fibrotic nodules and the immune system. Resultantly, pneumonia is frequently involved in pneumoconiotic patients and its treatment is not easy. Therefore, we conducted a clinical evaluation of immunoglobulin G which is known to be effective in severe infectious diseases.
METHODS
We randomly selected 45 pneumoconiotic patients with pneumonia and classified them into 2 groups. The experimental group (IgG group) was scheduled to receive antibiotics and IgG (5 g I.V./day for 7 days). The control group was treated with antibiotics alone. Sputum gram stain (counts of WBCs and microorganisms), body temperature, arterial oxygen tension, and counts of peripheral venous blood leukocytes and band neutrophils were used as markers to assess the response effect therapy at time periods of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 days after completion of therapy. We compared the clinical scores between the two groups.
RESULTS
The experimental IgG treated group was composed of 27 patients, and the control group comprised 18 patients. There was no statistical differences between two groups in terms of age, pneumoconiotic profusion, impairment degree of pulmonary function, or frequency of pathogen isolation in the sputum before medication. The experimental IgG treated group showed lower clinical scores as compared with the control group (p=0.083).
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that IgG infusion with antibiotics will have an effect on pneumonia therapy in pneumoconiosis patients that are under 60 years and exhibit simple pneumoconiosis.

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