Pneumopathy due to inhaling firewood smoke. Autopsy findings from the San Juan de Dios Hospital

Abstract

1,839 autopsy protocols from the San Juan de Dios Hospitalwere revised, 155 patients had been exposed to smoke, of whom 103 (5.6%) met the inclusion criteria. 97% were women. The principal histological changes were: hypertensive vascular disease (39%), pulmonary thrombo-embolism of the small and rnedium calibre vessels (38%) and peribronchial, perivascular and interstitial anthracosis. In al1 histological parameters, greater pulmonary compromise was seen in relation to greater exposure to firewood smoke. In spite of these peculiar characteristics, it is not possible to classify it as a nosological entity, being in the pneumoconiosis category. In conclusion it is a frequently occuring clinical-pathological condition in our environment, especially amongst women who have been exposed to firewood smoke for many years. Amongst the non-pathognomic histological changes, anthracosis pigment deposits, hypertensive vascular disease, pulmonary fibrosis and chronic bronchitis changes were found.