A case of acute eosinophilic pneumonia induced by the inhalation of acetylene

A 58-year-old man who had inhaled acetylene while welding 2 and 4 days previously and subsequently developed cough, dyspnea, and fever was referred by his general practitioner. A computed tomography scan showed diffuse ground-glass opacities in both lungs, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid showed an increased proportion of eosinophils (25 %). Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) was diagnosed. Inhalation of acetylene was considered to be the most likely cause of AEP. Respiratory symptoms improved rapidly with intravenous corticosteroids. This is a rare case of AEP caused by inhalation of acetylene.