[Acute respiratory distress syndrome following inhalation of barium sulfate].
INTRODUCTION: Barium sulfate (BS) is chosen to explore swallowing disorders because of its reduced osmolality allowing no adverse reaction if aspirated in the bronchial tree. CASE REPORT: A 66-years old man treated for an advanced stage mesothelioma experienced a BS aspiration during an esophagography. He developed 3 days after an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and deceased. The post-mortem examination revealed a diffuse alveolar damage (DAD). CONCLUSION: Whereas BS aspiration is generally well tolerated, serious adverse event as a DAD would exceptionally occurs. Thus, a close watch over respiratory symptoms has to be kept after BS administration, especially in debilitated and elderly patients.
Administration, Oral↗