Talc inhalation is a life-threatening condition

Pathol Oncol Res. 2004;10(4):231-3. doi: 10.1007/BF03033766. Epub 2004 Dec 27.

Abstract

A case of rapidly progressive disease and pulmonary hypertension due to chronic cosmetic talc inhalation is presented. Although an uncommon cause of pulmonary hypertension, talc, especially through intravenous administration, should be included in the etiology of parenchymal pulmonary hypertension. In our case talc inhalation was inadvertent, causing fulminant disease leading to the patient's death. To our knowledge, this is the first case of inadvertent talc inhalation causing death in adult patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cosmetics / adverse effects
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology*
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / pathology
  • Inhalation Exposure
  • Lung / chemistry
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Talc / adverse effects*
  • Talc / analysis

Substances

  • Cosmetics
  • Talc