Vesicant Exposure Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis

Lewisite Vesicant Exposure Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis 

Ocular symptoms and signs, including burning and stinging also occur immediately after exposure, followed quickly by blepharospasm and edema, and within a few hours, iritis and corneal haziness. Blindness may result without eye decontamination within 1 min of exposme (2). 

Lewisite effects on the airway are similar to sulfm and nitrogen mustard, except that Lewisite is extremely irritating to the mucus membranes. The immediate, profound irritation of the mucus membranes may drive victims away from the dispersal site, thus helping to limit exposme (8). Exposme to high concentrations of Lewisite results in pulmonary edema (8). 

Lmge exposures to Lewisite can cause Lewisite shock due to increased capillary membrane permeability and subsequent protein and plasma leakage across the capillary membranes. As a result, patients suffer intravascular fluid loss, hemoconcentration, hypovolemia, and hypotension (8,24). Cutaneous exposures can produce localized edema and pulmonary edema secondary to damage at the alveolm - capillary membrane (8). 

Contact with the liquid or vapor forms can cause skin erythema and blistering, corneal damage and iritis, damage to the airway mucosa, pulmonary edema, diarrhea, capillary leakage, and subsequent hypotension (21). 

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Sulfur and Nitrogen Mustard Vesicant Exposure Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis... 

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