Pneumotox » Drug » Ethanol (anhydrous)

Ethanol (anhydrous)

Absolute alcohol as used to treat esophageal varices and arteriovenous malformations can induce chest pain and chemical mediastinitis (PMID: 2072760). I.V. ethanol may cause acute pulmonary hypertension (PMID: 23377237)

Last update : 04/09/2014

V.a Pleural effusion (uni- or bilateral) (can accompany DI-LDs)

VI.l Acute pulmonary vasoconstriction and PHT

XI.b Chest pain (acute or subacute), lone or prominent

XII.n Cardiovascular collapse - Cardiogenic shock - Hypotension

Diagnosing DIRD

Drug and radiation history

Drug singularity - Correct identification of the drug

Consistent timing of exposure v. onset of symptoms

Clinical, imaging, BAL, pathological pattern consistent with the specific drug

Careful exlusion of another cause

Remission of symptoms with removal of drug

Recurrence with rechallenge (rarely advisable)

Causality assessment

More detailed checklist

The Drug-Induced Respiratory Disease Website

Philippe Camus, M.D.

Dijon, France

Ethanol (anhydrous)

V.a Pleural effusion (uni- or bilateral) (can accompany DI-LDs)

VI.l Acute pulmonary vasoconstriction and PHT

XI.b Chest pain (acute or subacute), lone or prominent

XII.n Cardiovascular collapse - Cardiogenic shock - Hypotension