Aspiration of oral contents in Parkinson's disease. A case report

A patient with Parkinson's disease developed a non-ketotic hyperosmolar diabetic coma precipitated by chest infection. Initial improvement from treatment with intravenous insulin, ampicillin and fluid therapies was followed by severe deterioration and hypovolaemic shock. Further improvement occurred only when therapy directed against Gram-negative sepsis was added. A barium examination later demonstrated aspiration of oral contents with pulmonary soilage. The differences between the easily recognized early fulminating 'aspiration syndrome' caused by aspiration of gastric contents of low pH and the aspiration of oral contents, which may remain occult for many hours, is highlighted. Life-threatening Gram-negative or anaerobic infection may then occur but remain undiagnosed because the original aspiration of foreign material is unsuspected.