Resolution after radiotherapy of severe pulmonary damage due to paraquat poisoning

A 29 year old man was admitted 36 hours after ingesting about 5 g paraquat. His arterial oxygen pressure fell progressively to 3.4 kPa (34 mm Hg), and pulmonary damage induced by paraquat was diagnosed. His condition did not improve after treatment with prednisolone and cyclophosphamide, but after irradiation both lungs cleared and arterial oxygen pressure started to improve. Irradiation of the lungs should be considered in patients who, after surviving the acute phase of poisoning with paraquat, show progressive deterioration of respiratory function.