OBJECTIVES The authors report a case of pneumonitis caused by methylene chloride (MC). METHODS The patient was examined and diagnosed by clinical, radiologic, laboratorial and medical evaluation. The concentration of MC in the factory was measured to determine the exposure level. RESULTS The patient had an infiltration in chest X-ray, which underwent rapid relief of radiological finding, respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia in arterial blood gas analysis, and a ground-glass opacity in high resolution computerized tomography. MC was the only exposed chemical compound in this case. The concentration of MC was 39.9 ppm in the factory. CONCLUSIONS We diagnosed this to be a case of pneumonitis by MC based on clinical laboratory findings, exposure history to MC and MC concentration in the factory.
OBJECTIVES To report a case of toxic hepatitis in a worker exposed to a cleansing agent mainly composed of methylene chloride. METHODS A 27-year-old female worker who had worked in an inspection and packing position of semiconductor parts in a factory using methylene chloride as a metal cleansing solvent was hospitalized due to fever, chill and generalized aches. We evaluated her with blood tests, abdominal ultrasonographic scan and abdominal CT scan and also took her occupational history. RESULTS The patient showed acute hepatitis in blood and radiologic tests after admission. The serologic tests for viral hepatitis A, B, C and autoimmune hepatitis were negative. She had no history of significant alcohol use, recent medication or drug allergy. After admission, her symptoms were improved and liver enzyme levels(AST and ALT) were markedly reduced. She returned to her workplace after discharge. Thereafter, however, her previous symptoms were recurred and she was hospitalized again 2 days after returning to her workplace. After this second admission, she showed acute hepatitis in blood tests and her symptoms were improved and liver enzyme levels were markedly reduced with the same pattern as those of the first admission. On the 11th day of the second admission, liver enzyme levels were normalized and she was discharged from hospital. CONCLUSIONS We presume that this patient`s liver injury was related to the methylene chloride presence at her workplace due to her clinical symptoms, blood tests, radiologic tests and occupational history.
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