- Crack lung
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Crack lung is an acute injury to the lungs due to heavy crack-cocaine smoking.
Crack-cocaine smoke constricts blood vessels in the lungs and prevents oxygen and blood from circulating. Extreme crack-cocaine abuse results in scarring and permanent damage, i.e. crack lung.[1]
Symptoms of crack lung include fever, cough, difficulty breathing and severe chest pain. These typically occur within 48 hours of heavy crack-cocaine smoking.[1]
On radiographic imaging of the chest there is often hyperinflation, increased vascular markings, tree-in-bud sign, and the appearance of a "not quite normal chest radiograph". These findings are not specific to crack cocaine abuse however can support a diagnosis in the face of a high index of suspicion.
References
Categories:- Drug addiction
- Lung disorders
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