SUPRAGLOTTIC AND SUBGLOTTIC AIRWAY INJURY DUE TO DEPLOYMENT AND RUPTURE OF AN AUTOMOBILE AIRBAG

A 46-year-old white female with underlying interstitial lung disease a nd asthma was driving a pickup truck when it was struck broadside, The airbag inflated and then ruptured, forcing inhalation of its contents . This produced facial desquamation, productive cough, wheezing, and h eadache. Chest radiograph showed bilateral interstitial fibrosis. Pulm onary function tests demonstrated small airway obstruction, hyperinfla tion, and impaired diffusion. Computerized tomography showed extensive sinusitis. She improved following treatment with inhaled steroids, br onchodilators, and oral antibiotics. Inhalation of the airbag contents produced supraglottic and subglottic airway inflammation, resulting i n sinusitis and exacerbation of her underlying asthma.