Complexities in diesel oil inhalation: case study of respiratory injury and coagulation anomalies

Abstract

Diesel inhalation poisoning represents a rare yet critical medical condition necessitating prompt medical attention due to its potential to induce severe respiratory distress and coagulation dysfunction. The present case study describes the distinctive clinical presentation of a male patient in his early 40s who experienced acute respiratory distress and manifested coagulation factor VII deficiency subsequent to unintentional inhalation of diesel oil during engine repair. The patient demonstrated symptoms including chest tightness and dyspnea, indicative of chemical aspiration pneumonia, alongside an unforeseen coagulation abnormality. Treatment involved rigorous intervention, comprising endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, and administration of pharmacotherapy, including ambroxol, dihydroxypropylline, and methylprednisolone. Moreover, procedural measures, such as repeated bronchoscopic alveolar lavage, pathogen culture, and targeted antibiotic therapy, were employed to mitigate respiratory complications. The patient’s clotting disorder was treated with blood transfusions, and he was discharged with improvement. The present case highlights the imperative nature of immediate medical intervention in instances of diesel inhalation to avert further clinical deterioration and unfavorable outcomes. Additionally, it underscores the necessity for expanded research endeavors aimed at elucidating the indirect repercussions of diesel inhalation on the coagulation cascade, an area that remains relatively underexplored within the medical literature.