Dermal absorption of kerosene components in rats and the influence of its amount and area of exposure

The influences of amount and area of dermal exposure to kerosene upon the levels of kerosene components in biological samples were examined in vivo and in vitro. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups and exposed to kerosene through the abdominal skin for 2h. The amounts (soaked in cotton) and area of kerosene exposed were 1 ml/4 cm(2) in Group I, 4 ml/4 cm(2) in Group II, 4 ml/16 cm(2) in Group III and 16 ml/64 cm(2) in Group IV. Before, then 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min after exposure, 0.5 ml of blood was collected. Solid tissue samples, including the exposed skin area, were harvested at 120 min. Kerosene components were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Trimethylbenzens (TMBs) that are easily absorbed kerosene components, appeared at 5-20 min. The time course changes in TMB levels in blood were significantly different between Groups I and II or Groups I and III, and almost identical between Groups II and III. Similar trends were observed in tissue samples at 120 min. High concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHCs) were detected in the exposed skin and the AHC levels were dependent on the amount of kerosene exposed per unit area. These results suggest that (1) dermal absorption of kerosene occurs soon after dermal exposure started, (2) absorption of TMBs is influenced by the total amount of kerosene rather than area of exposure, and (3) AHCs remaining in the skin at significant levels are influenced by the amount of kerosene per unit area exposed.     

Sudden Death Due to Recent Hemorrhage From an Intrathoracic Chronic Expanding Hematoma

Chronic expanding hematoma (CEH) is a rare disease that can develop in any region of the body, but it most frequently develops in the thorax. When intrathoracic CEH is left untreated, gradually expanding hematoma can be life‐threatening, leading to respiratory failure or hemoptysis. We encountered an 89‐year‐old man with cardiopulmonary arrest on arrival. He had been healthy, and it was unclear whether CEH had previously been detected. A very large mass was observed on chest computed tomography (CT), but the cause of death could not be determined. In the autopsy, this mass was identified as CEH and no malignant findings were noted. A fresh hemorrhage had occurred in the hematoma and perforated the bronchial lumen, which caused airway obstruction/asphyxia and resulted in sudden death. CEH should be suspected when a very large tumorous lesion occupying the entire hemithorax is observed on chest imaging, and it is important to recognize that sudden death can occur in the natural course of CEH.