Acute pulmonary toxicity from crack cocaine: Difference between revisions

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==Background==
==Background==
[[File:Rocks of crack cocaine.jpg|thumb|"Rocks" of crack [[cocaine]]]]
[[File:Lung and diaphragm.jpg|thumb|Lobes of the lung with related anatomy.]]
*Also known as "crack lung"
*Also known as "crack lung"
*Usually presents within 48 hours of crack cocaine inhalation.
*Due to hemorrhagic alveolitis from inhalational crack cocaine use <ref>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.</ref>
*Due to hemorrhagic alveolitis from inhalational crack cocaine use <ref>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.</ref>
**Crack cocaine vaporizes at 187°C<ref name="Devlin" />
**Crack cocaine vaporizes at 187°C<ref name="Devlin" />


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
*Characterized by dyspnea and hypoxia after crack cocaine use<ref name="Devlin">Devlin RJ, Henry JA. Clinical review: Major consequences of illicit drug consumption. Critical Care. 2008;12(1):202. doi:10.1186/cc6166.</ref>
*Characterized by [[dyspnea]] and [[hypoxia]] after crack cocaine use<ref name="Devlin">Devlin RJ, Henry JA. Clinical review: Major consequences of illicit drug consumption. Critical Care. 2008;12(1):202. doi:10.1186/cc6166.</ref>
*May also see:  
*May also see:  
**[[Fever]]
**[[Fever]]
**[[Hemoptysis]]
**[[Hemoptysis]]
**Respiratory failure
**[[Respiratory failure]]
**Pulmonary edema
**[[Pulmonary edema]]


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
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*[[Pneumothorax]]
*[[Pneumothorax]]
*Subcutaneous emphysema/[[pneumomediastinum]]
*Subcutaneous emphysema/[[pneumomediastinum]]
{{Drugs of abuse types}}


==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==
*Generally a clinical diagnosis
*Generally a clinical diagnosis
*Consider CXR and labs
*Consider [[CXR]] and labs
**May have eosinophilia, which suggests an immune mediated component<ref>Kissner DG.Crack lung: pulmonary disease caused by cocaine abuse. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1987;136(5):1250-2.</ref>
**May have [[eosinophilia]], which suggests an immune mediated component<ref>Kissner DG.Crack lung: pulmonary disease caused by cocaine abuse. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1987;136(5):1250-2.</ref>


==Management==
==Management==
*Supportive care
*Supportive care
*Systemic corticosteroids<ref name="Devlin" />
*Systemic [[corticosteroids]]<ref name="Devlin" />


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
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*[[Cocaine toxicity]]
*[[Cocaine toxicity]]
*[[Cocaine withdrawal]]
*[[Cocaine withdrawal]]
*[[Drugs of abuse]]


==External Links==
==External Links==

Latest revision as of 18:20, 29 July 2025

Background

"Rocks" of crack cocaine
Lobes of the lung with related anatomy.
  • Also known as "crack lung"
  • Usually presents within 48 hours of crack cocaine inhalation.
  • Due to hemorrhagic alveolitis from inhalational crack cocaine use [1]
    • Crack cocaine vaporizes at 187°C[2]

Clinical Features

Differential Diagnosis

Drugs of abuse

Evaluation

  • Generally a clinical diagnosis
  • Consider CXR and labs

Management

Disposition

  • Admit

See Also

External Links

References

  1. 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.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Devlin RJ, Henry JA. Clinical review: Major consequences of illicit drug consumption. Critical Care. 2008;12(1):202. doi:10.1186/cc6166.
  3. Kissner DG.Crack lung: pulmonary disease caused by cocaine abuse. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1987;136(5):1250-2.