Abstract
A 32 year-old polyurethane paint sprayer developed dry cough and fever after repeated spray work. The symptoms subsided during a period away from spray work, and developed again after returning to spray work. These episodes was repeated throughout one month and the symptoms became worse with each episode. The spray contained isocyanates. Plain chest x-ray film and computed tomogram of the lung showed a diffuse small nodular shadows in both lung fields. Arterial blood oxygen tension was low and vital capacity was reduced. 83% of the total cells in the broncho-alveolar-lavage fluid were lymphocytes. Lung biospy specimen obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy revealed infiltration of numerous monoclear cells in the interstititum.
From the above findings, this case was diagnosed as hypersensitivity pneumonitis possibly induced by isocyanates. This is the fifth such case reported in Japan.
