An unusual case of acute respiratory distress syndrome in a young man

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a complex and progressive lung injury that results in respiratory failure, often caused by pulmonary or systemic disorders. We present a 32-year-old male who developed ARDS following intranasal inhalation of cocaine. Diagnosis was established thorough cl...

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Main Authors: Antonella Cianci, Michele Domenico Spampinato, Benedetta Perna, Giacomo Maroncelli, Chiara Pesci, Roberto De Giorgio, Matteo Guarino
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PAGEPress Publications 2024-12-01
Series:Emergency Care Journal
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Online Access:https://www.pagepressjournals.org/ecj/article/view/12989
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author Antonella Cianci
Michele Domenico Spampinato
Benedetta Perna
Giacomo Maroncelli
Chiara Pesci
Roberto De Giorgio
Matteo Guarino
author_facet Antonella Cianci
Michele Domenico Spampinato
Benedetta Perna
Giacomo Maroncelli
Chiara Pesci
Roberto De Giorgio
Matteo Guarino
author_sort Antonella Cianci
collection DOAJ
description Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a complex and progressive lung injury that results in respiratory failure, often caused by pulmonary or systemic disorders. We present a 32-year-old male who developed ARDS following intranasal inhalation of cocaine. Diagnosis was established thorough clinical evaluation, identification of characteristic ultrasonographic patterns, and careful exclusion of other potential causes. The patient was managed with conservative medical therapy, including non-invasive ventilation, bronchodilators, antibiotic therapy, and comprehensive supportive care. Despite initial concerns about the severity of his condition, the patient's outcome was favourable, reflecting the diverse presentations and potential reversibility of ARDS. This case highlights two main aspects: i) the critical role of emergency physicians in recognizing and managing ARDS, even when the underlying cause is not immediately apparent; and ii) the importance of considering illicit drug use as a potential trigger during the initial assessment of respiratory complications.
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series Emergency Care Journal
spelling doaj-art-dd2f9dd2806d4dbe829bdfa13cf5ed4a2025-08-20T02:40:32ZengPAGEPress PublicationsEmergency Care Journal2282-20542024-12-0110.4081/ecj.2024.12989An unusual case of acute respiratory distress syndrome in a young manAntonella Cianci0Michele Domenico Spampinato1Benedetta Perna2Giacomo Maroncelli3Chiara Pesci4Roberto De Giorgio5Matteo Guarino6Department of Translational Medicine, St. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, University of FerraraDepartment of Translational Medicine, St. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, University of Ferrara; Emergency Department, S. Anna University Hospital of FerraraDepartment of Translational Medicine, St. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, University of FerraraDepartment of Translational Medicine, St. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, University of FerraraEmergency Department, S. Anna University Hospital of FerraraDepartment of Translational Medicine, St. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, University of FerraraDepartment of Translational Medicine, St. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, University of Ferrara; Emergency Department, S. Anna University Hospital of FerraraAcute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a complex and progressive lung injury that results in respiratory failure, often caused by pulmonary or systemic disorders. We present a 32-year-old male who developed ARDS following intranasal inhalation of cocaine. Diagnosis was established thorough clinical evaluation, identification of characteristic ultrasonographic patterns, and careful exclusion of other potential causes. The patient was managed with conservative medical therapy, including non-invasive ventilation, bronchodilators, antibiotic therapy, and comprehensive supportive care. Despite initial concerns about the severity of his condition, the patient's outcome was favourable, reflecting the diverse presentations and potential reversibility of ARDS. This case highlights two main aspects: i) the critical role of emergency physicians in recognizing and managing ARDS, even when the underlying cause is not immediately apparent; and ii) the importance of considering illicit drug use as a potential trigger during the initial assessment of respiratory complications. https://www.pagepressjournals.org/ecj/article/view/12989ARDScocainedrug abuseemergency medicinenon-invasive ventilationultrasonographic patterns
spellingShingle Antonella Cianci
Michele Domenico Spampinato
Benedetta Perna
Giacomo Maroncelli
Chiara Pesci
Roberto De Giorgio
Matteo Guarino
An unusual case of acute respiratory distress syndrome in a young man
Emergency Care Journal
ARDS
cocaine
drug abuse
emergency medicine
non-invasive ventilation
ultrasonographic patterns
title An unusual case of acute respiratory distress syndrome in a young man
title_full An unusual case of acute respiratory distress syndrome in a young man
title_fullStr An unusual case of acute respiratory distress syndrome in a young man
title_full_unstemmed An unusual case of acute respiratory distress syndrome in a young man
title_short An unusual case of acute respiratory distress syndrome in a young man
title_sort unusual case of acute respiratory distress syndrome in a young man
topic ARDS
cocaine
drug abuse
emergency medicine
non-invasive ventilation
ultrasonographic patterns
url https://www.pagepressjournals.org/ecj/article/view/12989
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