Benefits of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for hydrocarbon pneumonitis

To review the therapeutic benefits of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for the management of hydrocarbon pneumonitis.

A search of the medical literature was conducted through Medline and the bibliographies of relevant articles and a search of patient databases maintained by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization and the American Association of Poison Control Centers was performed. All articles and case reports on the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients with hydrocarbon pneumonitis were selected. The data were abstracted without judgments about study design.

There is some evidence that pulmonary parenchymal tissue can recover from hydrocarbon pneumonitis, but the degree of injury and recovery are variable. In the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry 19 children with hydrocarbon pneumonitis were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during 1985 to 1994 and 68% survived compared to the 52% overall survival of 883 pediatric cases who had a diagnosis of a respiratory condition. A review of the American Association of Poison Control Centers data for 1993 and 1994 identified five cases of hydrocarbon pneumonitis in which extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used and two survived. There are two full case descriptions in the literature with both children surviving, but one child developed persistent moderate left hemiparesis and seizure activity.

The need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is rare owing to the generally good outcome of most cases of hydrocarbon ingestions and pneumonitis. Only with further research on the nature and clinical course of severe hydrocarbon pneumonitis, refinement of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation criteria, and evaluation of alternative therapies, will the benefits of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation be better defined.