Acute pulmonary toxicity from crack cocaine

Background

Also known as "crack lung"
Due to hemorrhagic alveolitis from inhalational crack cocaine use [1]
- Crack cocaine vaporizes at 187°C[2]

Clinical Features

Characterized by dyspnea and hypoxia after crack cocaine use[2]
May also see:

Differential Diagnosis

Acute eosinophilic pneumonia
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Pulmonary embolism
Congestive heart failure
Pneumonia
Acute coronary syndrome
Pneumothorax
Subcutaneous emphysema/pneumomediastinum

Evaluation

Generally a clinical diagnosis
Consider CXR and labs
- May have eosinophilia, which suggests an immune mediated component[3]

Management

Supportive care
Systemic corticosteroids[2]

Disposition

Admit

See Also

External Links

References

Forrester JM. Crack lung: an acute pulmonary syndrome with a spectrum of clinical and histopathologic findings. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1990;142(2):462-7.
Devlin RJ, Henry JA. Clinical review: Major consequences of illicit drug consumption. Critical Care. 2008;12(1):202. doi:10.1186/cc6166.
Kissner DG.Crack lung: pulmonary disease caused by cocaine abuse. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1987;136(5):1250-2.

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