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Inhalant abuse of computer cleaner manifested as angioedema.

The American journal of emergency medicine (2011-02-08)
Peter C Kurniali, Letitia Henry, Rita Kurl, Joseph V Meharg
ABSTRACT

Inhalant abuse is the intentional inhalation of chemical vapors or volatile substance to achieve a euphoric effect. Although no statistical data are reported yet, inhalant abuse is potentially life-threatening and has resulted in a wide range of toxic effects such as central nervous system depression, seizures, aspiration, cardiac arrhythmia, asphyxiation, hypoxia, metabolic acidosis, and sudden death among others. We are reporting a 25-year-old white man who was brought to the emergency department after inhaling aerosolized computer-cleaning spray composed of difluoroethane. He was found to have marked upper and lower lip facial swelling consistent with angioedema. The patient also had a prolonged QT interval, mild inspiratory stridor, but no urticaria. In this case, we believe the difluoroethane-related angioedema represents either idiopathic or bradykinin-induced angioedema.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
1,1-Difluoroethane, ≥98%