Chemical Pneumonitis and Acute Lung Injury Caused by Inhalation of Nickel Fumes

Abstract

A 50-year-old man with a 30-year occupational history of welding presented with low-grade fever, fatigue and persistent dry cough. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed interlobular septal thickening and bilateral non-segmental patchy ground-glass opacities except in the sub-pleural zone. He revealed that he had inhaled nickel fumes 3 days previously at work. These findings suggested a diagnosis of pneumonitis induced by inhalation of nickel fumes. Fewer reports describe pneumonitis associated with the inhalation of nickel compared with zinc fumes. Although nickel compounds are particularly pernicious among the transition metals and more toxic than zinc compounds, nickel fume inhalation rarely induces lethal acute respiratory distress syndrome. Our patient was successfully treated with corticosteroid.

Evaluation of Nickel Release from Endobronchial Valves as a Possible Cause of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis in a Patient Treated with Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction

“…Additionally, there could have been a tolerance effect over time. However, likely following a different pathophysiological pathway, pneumonitis has been reported after exposure to nickel fumes [27] .…”

Welder’s pulmonary hemosiderosis associated with systemic iron overload following exacerbation of acute adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma

“…Welder's lung is caused by the accumulation of the main component of welding fumes, iron oxide, in the lungs, 1,2 and has been reported to induce diffuse lung disorders. [3][4][5] Long-term welding work (40 years) may have explained the development of pulmonary hemosiderosis in the present case. Although welder's lung is usually limited to the lungs and systemic iron overload is rare, there are reports that welder's lung can lead to systemic iron overload.…”

“…This can occur as a consequence of occupations like welding, and in most cases, only the lungs are affected. [1][2][3][4][5] However, systemic iron overload resulting from several causes can induce tissue damage and organ failure. [6][7][8] There are hereditary and acquired types of iron overload, and cases associated with repeated red blood cell transfusion are frequently reported.…”

Antimony and Nickel

“…Ingestion is associated with systemic toxicity, particularly involving the central nervous system. Exposure to nickel was associated with generalized tonic-clonic seizures and nonconvulsant focal status epilepticus in two patients working in the same shop [113].…”