Hydrocarbide aspiration pneumonia: three cases.

We report three personal cases of hydrocarbide aspiration pneumonia. High-v iscosity non-volatile hydrocarbides (paraffin oil, for instance) cause ofte n pseudotumoral exogenous fat-aspiration lung disease. Low-viscosity volati le hydrocarbides (petroleum, gasolinne, white spirit, for instance) cause a cute pseudo-infectious lung disease with dyspnea and fever which usually re solves within a few weeks but which may also be life-threatening. Purely sy mptomatic treatment has greatly progressed with advances in intensive venti latory assistance. Gastric emptying with emetic agents or lavage procedures is dangerous and must be avoided except for exceptional cases. When requir ed, the airways must be protected with tracheal intubation. Volatile hydroc arbides should be stored in protected areas in containers with safety stopp ers which children cannot open.