Chest pain and dyspnea related to "crack" cocaine smoking: value of chest radiography

The chest radiographs of 71 patients who had chest pain or shortness of breath following the smoking of highly potent "crack" cocaine were retrospectively evaluated. Nine patients had abnormal findings on radiographs as follows: atelectasis or localized parenchymal opacification in four, p...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Radiology Vol. 172; no. 2; p. 459
Main Authors:	Eurman, D W, Potash, H I, Eyler, W R, Paganussi, P J, Beute, G H
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-08-1989
Subjects:	Adolescent Adult Chest Pain - diagnostic imaging Chest Pain - etiology Cocaine Dyspnea - diagnostic imaging Dyspnea - etiology Female Humans Lung Diseases - diagnostic imaging Lung Diseases - etiology Male Mediastinal Emphysema - diagnostic imaging Mediastinal Emphysema - etiology Middle Aged Radiography, Thoracic Smoking Substance-Related Disorders - complications
Online Access:	Get more information
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	The chest radiographs of 71 patients who had chest pain or shortness of breath following the smoking of highly potent "crack" cocaine were retrospectively evaluated. Nine patients had abnormal findings on radiographs as follows: atelectasis or localized parenchymal opacification in four, pneumomediastinum in two, pneumothorax in one, hemopneumothorax in one, and pulmonary edema in one. Radiographic detection of these abnormalities was important in the clinical management of these patients. This spectrum of findings is presented with a discussion of the pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible.
ISSN:	0033-8419
DOI:	10.1148/radiology.172.2.2748826