Respiratory tract burns after aspiration of hot coffee

We present the fingings in a patient with acute thermal burn to the upper and lower airway who developed mucosal edema followed by patchy areas of granuloma-like lesions in the trachea and bronchi. A four-month follow-up showed resolution of the gross lesions, but functional alterations remained. This patient illustrates the necessity for repeated direct observation and functional evaluation of the lower airway folllowing thermal injury, which can be a life-threatening disorder.