Case of multiple organ failure due to benzine ingestion

A 42-year-old woman was admitted to our ICU for acute respiratory failure due to benzine ingestion. On arrival at the hospital, the patient's consciousness level was GCS 3 and her SpO2 was 89% when receiving oxygen at 10 L/min. She was immediately intubated and placed on a ventilator. Chest X-ray and CT scanning showed a wide infiltrative pulmonary shadow bilaterally, and a diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was made. Subsequently, she became anuric and required haemodiafiltration on the 2nd day. Complications such as prolonged circulatory failure, liver dysfunction and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) were then observed, and plasma exchange therapy was initiated. The patient's condition improved and a complete recovery ensued. The patient remained suicidal and was moved to the psychiatric ward for psychiatric support. Benzine is purified oil containing aliphatic hydrocarbons and is liquid at room temperature. In this case, the patient had already ARDS that required immediate intubation on arrival at the hospital. On this basis, aspiration of benzine into the lungs was considered to have occurred concomitantly with its ingestion, which therefore led to the complication of chemical pneumonitis in addition to that of circulatory shock, acute kidney injury, liver dysfunction and DIC.