Multiple organ failure following inhalation of butane gas: A case report

Most cases of acute poisoning by butane and other volatile compounds occur in young people as a consequence of substance abuse by inhalation. Clinical symptoms are caused by asphyxia and mainly affect the cardiovascular, resp iratory and central nervous system. There are also reported deaths from int oxication of butane inhalation, mostly by cardiac arrhythmia. We report the case of a healthy 14 year-old boy who inhaled butane gas from an aerosol c an for refilling cigarette lighters. Despite successful resuscitation and d efibrillation, he died two days later from multiple organ failure involving the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, pulmonary system and th e liver. Although such incidents are rare in middle European countries, eme rgency and intensive care medicine staff should be instructed on the conseq uences and management of butane gas poisoning.