Lamp Oil Poisoning: Pulmonary Hypertension Following Oil Aspiration Successfully Treated with Inhaled Nitric Oxide

Introduction

Hydrocarbons are widely available in households in the form of fuels, lubricants, and decorative products such as lamp oils. Accidental ingestion or aspiration of hydrocarbons, particularly by toddlers, can result in significant pulmonary injury, including chemical pneumonitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and rarely, pulmonary hypertension (Makrygianni EA et al., Pediatr Pulmonol 2016; 51: 560–569; Tormoehlen LM et al., Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2014; 52: 479–489). The aspiration risk is heightened in low-viscosity, highly volatile hydrocarbons like lamp oil, which easily enter the lower airways during ingestion or vomiting (Rashed MM et al., Egypt J Bronchol 2023; 17: 63).

The toxic effects of hydrocarbon aspiration stem not only from physical obstruction of airways but also from direct injury to alveolar and bronchial epithelium, leading to intense inflammation, surfactant inactivation, alveolar hemorrhage, and subsequent ARDS (Ik K et al., Cureus 2021; 13: e20144). Although most hydrocarbon-related pneumonitis cases are self-limiting, a subset of patients may develop severe complications, such as pneumothorax, mediastinal emphysema, or pulmonary hypertension (Rashed MM et al., Egypt J Bronchol 2023; 17: 63).

Pulmonary hypertension in this context is considered secondary to hypoxia-induced vasoconstriction and inflammatory injury to the pulmonary vasculature. The use of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), a selective pulmonary vasodilator, has been described in various pediatric settings for pulmonary hypertension but is rarely reported in cases secondary to chemical pneumonitis (Berger JT et al., Pediatr Crit Care Med 2020; 21: 708–719; Adhikari NK et al., BMJ 2007; 334: 779; Bronicki RA et al., J Pediatr 2015; 166: 365–369). Here, we describe a unique case of lamp oil aspiration complicated by ARDS and pulmonary hypertension, successfully managed with mechanical ventilation, prone positioning, and iNO therapy.

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 10. Oktober 2025

Angenommen nach Revision: 13. Februar 2026

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
27. Februar 2026