Pulse steroid therapy in adult respiratory distress syndrome following petroleum naphtha ingestion

Case Report: A suicide attempt by a 23-year-old woman involved ingestion of 1000 mL of petroleum naphtha. Early chemical pneumonitis was complicated b y life-threatening, diffuse interstitial lung consolidation with pneumatoce les. Pulse steroid therapy beginning on day 17 was associated with remarkab le resolution of interstitial consolidation, although an enlarging secondar ily infected pneumatocele ruptured to produce a bronchopleural fistula. Tho racic surgery and antibiotic therapy resulted in improvement of the patient 's respiratory condition, and she was discharged with no residual respirato ry symptoms. High-dose corticosteroid therapy appears to be a useful additi on to aggressive supportive treatment in late adult respiratory distress sy ndrome following hydrocarbon ingestion.