Evaluación de respuesta a glucocorticoides en neumonitis química por humo blanco de pólvora negra, reporte de caso

Historically, different types of explosives have been used in mining. Black gunpowder is the most widely used, composed of carbon, sulfur, and potassium nitrate. Knowing that the fumes emitted after an explosion are highly toxic is essential. Chemical pneumonitis due to inhalation of pyrotechnic smoke (black powder) is associated with the different products of its combustion, where potassium compounds are dominant and very toxic. We report the case of a man in his third decade of life who, working as a miner, was exposed to the inhalation of white smoke from black powder for an approximate time of 10 minutes with the subsequent appearance of signs of respiratory difficulty pulmonary involvement that was demonstrated. Through images (x-ray and chest tomography) with bilateral inflammatory lung involvement at the interstitial level secondary to inhaled toxic and after the start of early corticosteroid therapy, in tomographic control, adequate resolution of the interstitial lung involvement is recorded by adequate clinical and respiratory response.