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VOL. 11, ISSUE 1 (2026)
The lungs that failed to recover: Delayed progressive lung failure following Paraquat poisoning – A fatal sequelae
Authors
Dr. Sushmitha Sudeesh, Dr. Preethiraj Ballal, Dr. Aniruddha K
Abstract
Paraquat poisoning is a medical emergency associated with high
mortality, primarily due to severe pulmonary toxicity. The lungs are the
principal target organ, with injury ranging from acute lung injury and acute
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) to delayed, relentlessly progressive
pulmonary fibrosis. Although early survival following ingestion may create a
false sense of recovery, delayed respiratory failure occurring weeks later is
increasingly recognized and remains therapeutically refractory. We report a
fatal case of delayed progressive lung failure presenting with
platypnea–orthodeoxia syndrome six weeks after paraquat ingestion. This case
underscores the distinctive pathophysiology of paraquat-induced lung injury,
the paradoxical deleterious effects of oxygen therapy, diagnostic challenges in
delayed presentations, and the critical need for prolonged surveillance in survivors
of acute paraquat poisoning.
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Pages:58-60
How to cite this article:
Dr. Sushmitha Sudeesh, Dr. Preethiraj Ballal, Dr. Aniruddha K "The lungs that failed to recover: Delayed progressive lung failure following Paraquat poisoning – A fatal sequelae". International Journal of Medicine Research, Vol 11, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 58-60
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