Clinical observation on the manifestations in nose pharynx and throat and on their prognosis of acute DMS poisoning

Objective To investigate the clinical features of acute dimethyl sulfate(DMS) poisoning manifested in nose,pharynx and throat and the prognosis of these lesions.Methods Twenty-two cases with acute DMS poisoning were included in this study and they were divided into 4 groups according to the close degree of cases contacting the toxic material,i.e.group 1 being the cases contacting DMS directly,group 2 being the firemen without mask worn when contacting the toxic material,group 3 being the firemen with mask worn when contacting the toxic material,and group 4 being the medical workers in the accident field.They were all treated and observed on by special persons throughout the whole therapeutic process.Then,focused attention was put on their clinical manifestations in nose,pharynx and throat and the conversion of them.Results Nasal blockage and frequently sneezing were the main symptoms in nose,with bogus membrane formation in nasal cavity in a parallel tendency with the toxic degree.The pathological changes in the pharynx were mainly congestion and edema of uvula and soft palate,showing a positive correlation of the lesion with the degree of intoxication.All the cases with the degree of intoxication at or above medium might undergo the process of laryngeal obstruction,and those suffering a degree of seriously intoxicated should develop to such lesions as vocal cord necrosis or immobilization.Conclusions Significant pathological changes may be companied with acute DMS poisoning in nose,pharynx and throat,and timely treatment can promote the process of lesion recovery largely.