A Complication of a Frequent Procedure That Is Uncommon but Can Be Fatal: Activated Charcoal Aspiration

Abstract

Activated charcoal is a safe and effective material widely used for decontamination in poisoning cases. The case is here presented of a 3-year-old male child who developed severe respiratory failure due to activated charcoal aspiration and recovered with supportive treatment and repeated bronchoscopic irrigation. When using activated charcoal it must be kept in mind that there could be complications resulting in se- vere morbidities or even be life-threatening. This case is presented to draw attention to the potentially serious complications of activated char- coal, which is relatively often used in pediatric emergency practice and to emphasize that serial bronchoscopic irrigation can contribute to the recovery of ventilation parameters.