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 le sion influences the development of acute respiratory failure and the p rognosis in the initial term. We have seen a case of acute hypoxic int erstitial pneumonia following accidental inhalation of nitrous vapours with lesions of bronchiolitis obliterans. The outcome subsequently fo llowed the usual pattern and there was a complete cure with steroid th erapy.