Accidental sulfur mustard exposure: A case report

Toxicol Lett. 2018 Sep 1:293:62-66. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2017.11.023. Epub 2017 Nov 28.

Abstract

The clinical progression following a sulfur mustard-induced skin exposure is well documented in the literature. Upon skin contact and a characteristic latency period, sulfur mustard (SM) causes erythema, blister formation and ulceration, which is associated with wound healing disorders that may require surgical treatment. Here, we present a case report of accidental exposure to SM in a laboratory setting which required surgical treatment of the skin. The case was illustrated at close intervals over a period of two years and underlines that exposure to SM has to be taken into account when typical clinical symptoms occur. Moreover skin grafts appear to be effective in SM-induced non healing skin ulcerations.

Keywords: Accident; Excision; Exposure; Split-skin grafting; Sulfur mustard.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents
  • Adult
  • Blister / pathology
  • Chemical Warfare Agents / poisoning*
  • Erythema / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mustard Gas / poisoning*
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin Transplantation / methods
  • Skin Ulcer / chemically induced
  • Skin Ulcer / pathology
  • Skin Ulcer / surgery

Substances

  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Mustard Gas