Skip to main content
Thorax logoLink to Thorax
. 1990 Nov;45(11):891–898. doi: 10.1136/thx.45.11.891

Pulmonary complications of intravenous drug misuse. 1. Epidemiology and non-infective complications.

C R Hind 1
PMCID: PMC462791  PMID: 2256022

Full text

PDF
893

Images in this article

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Angelos M. G., Sheets C. A., Zych P. R. Needle emboli to lung following intravenous drug abuse. J Emerg Med. 1986;4(5):391–396. doi: 10.1016/0736-4679(86)90217-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Bell C., Borak J., Loeffler J. R. Pneumothorax in drug abusers: a complication of internal jugular venous injections. Ann Emerg Med. 1983 Mar;12(3):167–170. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0644(83)80561-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Ben-Haim S. A., Ben-Ami H., Edoute Y., Goldstien N., Barzilai D. Talcosis presenting as pulmonary infiltrates in an HIV-positive heroin addict. Chest. 1988 Sep;94(3):656–658. doi: 10.1378/chest.94.3.656. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Bloor R. N., Smalldridge N. J. Intravenous use of slow release morphine sulphate tablets. BMJ. 1990 Mar 10;300(6725):640–641. doi: 10.1136/bmj.300.6725.640. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Brettle R. P., Bisset K., Burns S., Davidson J., Davidson S. J., Gray J. M., Inglis J. M., Lees J. S., Mok J. Human immunodeficiency virus and drug misuse: the Edinburgh experience. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1987 Aug 15;295(6595):421–424. doi: 10.1136/bmj.295.6595.421. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Brody S. L., Slovis C. M., Wrenn K. D. Cocaine-related medical problems: consecutive series of 233 patients. Am J Med. 1990 Apr;88(4):325–331. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(90)90484-u. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Brown D. G., Aguirre A., Weaver A. 67Gallium scanning in talc-induced pulmonary granulomatosis. Chest. 1980 Apr;77(4):561–565. doi: 10.1378/chest.77.4.561. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Butch A. J., Yokel R. A., Sigell L. T., Hanenson I. B., Nelson E. D. Abuse and pulmonary complications of injecting pentazocine and tripelennamine tablets. Clin Toxicol. 1979 Mar;14(3):301–306. doi: 10.3109/15563657908992449. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Byers J. M., 3rd, Soin J. S., Fisher R. S., Hutchins G. M. Acute pulmonary alveolitis in narcotics abuse. Arch Pathol. 1975 May;99(5):273–277. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Camargo G., Colp C. Pulmonary function studies in ex-heroin users. Chest. 1975 Mar;67(3):331–334. doi: 10.1378/chest.67.3.331. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Cassar-Pullicino V. N., Taylor D. N., Fitz-Patrick J. D. Multiple metallic mercury emboli. Br J Radiol. 1985 May;58(689):470–474. doi: 10.1259/0007-1285-58-689-470. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Chasnoff I. J., Landress H. J., Barrett M. E. The prevalence of illicit-drug or alcohol use during pregnancy and discrepancies in mandatory reporting in Pinellas County, Florida. N Engl J Med. 1990 Apr 26;322(17):1202–1206. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199004263221706. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Cherubin C. E. The medical sequelae of narcotic addiction. Ann Intern Med. 1967 Jul;67(1):23–33. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-67-1-23. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Clague J. R., Gray H. H., Kay P. H. Self injection with mercury. BMJ. 1989 Dec 23;299(6715):1567–1567. doi: 10.1136/bmj.299.6715.1567. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Cohen H. L., Cohen S. W. Spontaneous bilateral pneumothorax in drug addicts. Chest. 1984 Oct;86(4):645–647. doi: 10.1378/chest.86.4.645. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Crouch E., Churg A. Progressive massive fibrosis of the lung secondary to intravenous injection of talc. A pathologic and mineralogic analysis. Am J Clin Pathol. 1983 Oct;80(4):520–526. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/80.4.520. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Des Jarlais D. C., Friedman S. R., Novick D. M., Sotheran J. L., Thomas P., Yancovitz S. R., Mildvan D., Weber J., Kreek M. J., Maslansky R. HIV-1 infection among intravenous drug users in Manhattan, New York City, from 1977 through 1987. JAMA. 1989 Feb 17;261(7):1008–1012. doi: 10.1001/jama.261.7.1008. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Douglas F. G., Kafilmout K. J., Patt N. L. Foreign particle embolism in drug addicts: respiratory pathophysiology. Ann Intern Med. 1971 Dec;75(6):865–880. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-75-6-865. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Duberstein J. L., Kaufman D. M. A clinical study of an epidemic of heroin intoxication and heroin-induced pulmonary edema. Am J Med. 1971 Dec;51(6):704–714. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(71)90298-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Farber H. W., Fairman R. P., Glauser F. L. Talc granulomatosis: laboratory findings similar to sarcoidosis. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1982 Feb;125(2):258–261. doi: 10.1164/arrd.1982.125.2.258. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Fleming P. M. Providing services for drug misusers: what lessons from North America? Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1988 Jun 4;296(6636):1589–1590. doi: 10.1136/bmj.296.6636.1589. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Frand U. I., Shim C. S., Williams M. H., Jr Methadone-induced pulmonary edema. Ann Intern Med. 1972 Jun;76(6):975–979. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-76-6-975. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Ghodse A. H., Myles J. S. Asthma in opiate addicts. J Psychosom Res. 1987;31(1):41–44. doi: 10.1016/0022-3999(87)90096-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Glassroth J., Adams G. D., Schnoll S. The impact of substance abuse on the respiratory system. Chest. 1987 Apr;91(4):596–602. doi: 10.1378/chest.91.4.596. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Gottlieb L. S., Boylen T. C. Pulmonary complications of drug abuse. West J Med. 1974 Jan;120(1):8–16. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Grieble H. G., Rippon J. W., Maliwan N., Daun V. Scopulariopsosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis in an addict. Ann Intern Med. 1975 Sep;83(3):326–329. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-83-3-326. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Groth D. H., Mackay G. R., Crable J. V., Cochran T. H. Intravenous injection of talc in a narcotics addict. Arch Pathol. 1972 Aug;94(2):171–178. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Gurney J. W., Bates F. T. Pulmonary cystic disease: comparison of Pneumocystis carinii pneumatoceles and bullous emphysema due to intravenous drug abuse. Radiology. 1989 Oct;173(1):27–31. doi: 10.1148/radiology.173.1.2789412. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Hart G. J., Sonnex C., Petherick A., Johnson A. M., Feinmann C., Adler M. W. Risk behaviours for HIV infection among injecting drug users attending a drug dependency clinic. BMJ. 1989 Apr 22;298(6680):1081–1083. doi: 10.1136/bmj.298.6680.1081. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Hartnoll R., Lewis R., Mitcheson M., Bryer S. Estimating the prevalence of opioid dependence. Lancet. 1985 Jan 26;1(8422):203–205. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(85)92036-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Helpern M., Rho Y. M. Deaths from narcotism in New York City. Incidence, circumstances, and postmortem findings. N Y State J Med. 1966 Sep 15;66(18):2391–2408. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Hopkins G. B., Taylor D. G. Pulmonary talc granulomatosis. A complication of drug abuse. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1970 Jan;101(1):101–104. doi: 10.1164/arrd.1970.101.1.101. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Houck R. J., Bailey G. L., Daroca P. J., Jr, Brazda F., Johnson F. B., Klein R. C. Pentazocine abuse. Report of a case with pulmonary arterial cellulose granulomas and pulmonary hypertension. Chest. 1980 Feb;77(2):227–230. doi: 10.1378/chest.77.2.227. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Hughes S., Calverley P. M. Heroin inhalation and asthma. BMJ. 1988 Dec 10;297(6662):1511–1512. doi: 10.1136/bmj.297.6662.1511. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Jaffe R. B., Koschmann E. B. Intravenous drug abuse. Pulmonary, cardiac, and vascular complications. Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med. 1970 May;109(1):107–120. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Johnston E. H., Goldbaum L. R., Whelton R. L. Investigation of sudden death in addicts, with emphasis on the toxicologic findings in thirty cases. Med Ann Dist Columbia. 1969 Jul;38(7):375–380. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Johnston W. H., Waisman J. Pulmonary corn starch granulomas in a drug user. Light and electron microscopic study of a case. Arch Pathol. 1971 Sep;92(3):196–202. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Karliner J. S., Steinberg A. D., Williams M. H., Jr Lung function after pulmonary edema associated with heroin overdose. Arch Intern Med. 1969 Sep;124(3):350–353. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Katz S., Aberman A., Frand U. I., Stein I. M., Fulop M. Heroin pulmonary edema. Evidence for increased pulmonary capillary permeability. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1972 Sep;106(3):472–474. doi: 10.1164/arrd.1972.106.3.472. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Kirsch C. M., Yenokida G. G., Jensen W. A., Wendland R., Suh H., Bourgault M. Non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema due to the intravenous administration of clove oil. Thorax. 1990 Mar;45(3):235–236. doi: 10.1136/thx.45.3.235. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Lerner A. M., Oerther F. J. Characteristics and sequelae of paregoric abuse. Ann Intern Med. 1966 Nov;65(5):1019–1030. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-65-5-1019. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Lewis T. D., Henry D. A. Needle embolus: a unique complication of intravenous drug abuse. Ann Emerg Med. 1985 Sep;14(9):906–908. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0644(85)80645-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Louria D. B., Hensle T., Rose J. The major medical complications of heroin addiction. Ann Intern Med. 1967 Jul;67(1):1–22. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-67-1-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Luisada A. A. Paroxysmal pulmonary edema and the acute cardiac lung. Am J Cardiol. 1967 Jul;20(1):69–76. doi: 10.1016/0002-9149(67)90112-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Lupovich P., Pilewski R., Sapira J. D., Juselius R. Cardiotoxicity of quinine as adulterant in drugs. JAMA. 1970 May 18;212(7):1216–1216. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Marschke G., Haber L., Feinberg M. Pulmonary talc embolization. Chest. 1975 Dec;68(6):824–826. doi: 10.1378/chest.68.6.824. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Mattox K. L. Pneumomediastinum in heroin and marijuana users. JACEP. 1976 Jan;5(1):26–28. doi: 10.1016/s0361-1124(76)80162-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Morrison W. J., Wetherill S., Zyroff J. The acute pulmonary edema of heroin intoxication. Radiology. 1970 Nov;97(2):347–351. doi: 10.1148/97.2.347. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Newell G. C., Reginato A. J., Auerbach D., O'Connor C. R., Nelson P. Pulmonary granulomatosis secondary to pentazocine abuse mimicking connective tissue diseases. Am J Med. 1988 Dec;85(6):890–892. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9343(88)80051-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. O'Connor R. N., Brunham R. C., Bowden D. H. Pulmonary talc granulomatosis mimicking Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. CMAJ. 1988 Jan 1;138(1):53–54. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. O'Donnell A. E., Pappas L. S. Pulmonary complications of intravenous drug abuse. Experience at an inner-city hospital. Chest. 1988 Aug;94(2):251–253. doi: 10.1378/chest.94.2.251. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. O'Gorman P., Patel S., Notcutt S., Wicking J. Adulteration of "street" heroin with chloroquine. Lancet. 1987 Mar 28;1(8535):746–746. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(87)90385-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Overland E. S., Nolan A. J., Hopewell P. C. Alteration of pulmonary function in intravenous drug abusers. Prevalence, severity, and characterization of gas exchange abnormalities. Am J Med. 1980 Feb;68(2):231–237. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(80)90359-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Paré J. A., Fraser R. G., Hogg J. C., Howlett J. G., Murphy S. B. Pulmonary 'mainline' granulomatosis: talcosis of intravenous methadone abuse. Medicine (Baltimore) 1979 May;58(3):229–239. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  55. Paré J. P., Cote G., Fraser R. S. Long-term follow-up of drug abusers with intravenous talcosis. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1989 Jan;139(1):233–241. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm/139.1.233. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  56. Purkiss R. Effects and distribution of intravenously administered cellulose particles in mice. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1975 Apr;27(4):290–292. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1975.tb10704.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  57. Puro H. E., Wolf P. L., Skirgaudas J., Vazquez J. Experimental production of human "blue velvet" and "red devil" lesions. JAMA. 1966 Sep 26;197(13):1100–1102. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  58. Richards T. Drug addicts and the GP. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1988 Apr 16;296(6629):1082–1082. doi: 10.1136/bmj.296.6629.1082. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  59. Robertson C. H., Jr, Reynolds R. C., Wilson J. E., 3rd Pulmonary hypertension and foreign body granulomas in intravenous drug abusers. Documentation by cardiac catheterization and lung biopsy. Am J Med. 1976 Nov;61(5):657–664. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(76)90144-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  60. Rodnan G. P. When is scleroderma not scleroderma? The differential diagnosis of progressive systemic sclerosis. Bull Rheum Dis. 1981;31(2):7–10. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  61. SPAIN D. M. Patterns of pulmonary fibrosis as related to pulmonary function. Ann Intern Med. 1950 Nov;33(5):1150–1163. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-33-5-1150. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  62. Sapira J. D. The narcotic addict as a medical patient. Am J Med. 1968 Oct;45(4):555–588. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(68)90172-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  63. Shaffer B. A., Schmidt-Nowara W. W. Multiple small opacities of metallic density in the lung. Chest. 1989 Nov;96(5):1179–1181. doi: 10.1378/chest.96.5.1179. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  64. Sherman C. B., Hudson L. D., Pierson D. J. Severe precocious emphysema in intravenous methylphenidate (Ritalin) abusers. Chest. 1987 Dec;92(6):1085–1087. doi: 10.1378/chest.92.6.1085. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  65. Siegel H. Human pulmonary pathology associated with narcotic and other addictive drugs. Hum Pathol. 1972 Mar;3(1):55–66. doi: 10.1016/s0046-8177(72)80053-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  66. Skidmore C. A., Robertson J. R., Robertson A. A., Elton R. A. After the epidemic: follow up study of HIV seroprevalence and changing patterns of drug use. BMJ. 1990 Jan 27;300(6719):219–223. doi: 10.1136/bmj.300.6719.219. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  67. Smith W. R., Wells I. D., Glauser F. L., Novey H. S. High incidence of precipitins in sera of heroin addicts. JAMA. 1975 Jun 30;232(13):1337–1338. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  68. Soin J. S., McKusick K. A., Wagner H. N., Jr Regional lung-function abnormalities in narcotic addicts. JAMA. 1973 Jun 25;224(13):1717–1720. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  69. Spiritus E. M., Wilson A. F., Berke R. A. Lung scans in asymptomatic heroin addicts. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1973 Oct;108(4):994–996. doi: 10.1164/arrd.1973.108.4.994. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  70. Steinberg A. D., Karliner J. S. The clinical spectrum of heroin pulmonary edema. Arch Intern Med. 1968 Aug;122(2):122–127. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  71. Stern W. Z., Subbarao K. Pulmonary complications of drug addiction. Semin Roentgenol. 1983 Jul;18(3):183–197. doi: 10.1016/0037-198x(83)90022-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  72. Strawbridge H. T. Chronic Pulmonary Emphysema (an Experimental Study): III. Experimental Pulmonary Emphysema. Am J Pathol. 1960 Oct;37(4):391–411. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  73. Swadi H., Wells B., Power R. Misuse of dihydrocodeine tartrate (DF 118) among opiate addicts. BMJ. 1990 May 19;300(6735):1313–1313. doi: 10.1136/bmj.300.6735.1313. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  74. Tomashefski J. F., Jr, Hirsch C. S., Jolly P. N. Microcrystalline cellulose pulmonary embolism and granulomatosis. A complication of illicit intravenous injections of pentazocine tablets. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1981 Feb;105(2):89–93. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  75. Tomashefski J. F., Jr, Hirsch C. S. The pulmonary vascular lesions of intravenous drug abuse. Hum Pathol. 1980 Mar;11(2):133–145. doi: 10.1016/s0046-8177(80)80130-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  76. VON GLAHN W. C., HALL J. W. The reaction produced in the pulmonary arteries by emboli of cotton fibers. Am J Pathol. 1949 Jul;25(4):575–595. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  77. Vevaina J. R., Civantos F., Viamonte M., Jr, Avery W. G. Emphysema associated with talcum granulomatosis in a drug addict. South Med J. 1974 Jan;67(1):113–116. doi: 10.1097/00007611-197401000-00028. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  78. WENDT V. E., PURO H. E., SHAPIRO J., MATHEWS W., WOLF P. L. ANGIOTHROMBOTIC PULMONARY HYPERTENSION IN ADDICTS. "BLUE VELVET" ADDICTION. JAMA. 1964 May 25;188:755–757. doi: 10.1001/jama.1964.03060340053017. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  79. Waller B. F., Brownlee W. J., Roberts W. C. Self-induced pulmonary granulomatosis. A consequence of intravenous injection of drugs intended for oral use. Chest. 1980 Jul;78(1):90–94. doi: 10.1378/chest.78.1.90. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  80. Zorc T. G., O'Donnell A. E., Holt R. W., Pappas L. S., Slakey J. Bilateral pyopneumothorax secondary to intravenous drug abuse. Chest. 1988 Mar;93(3):645–647. doi: 10.1378/chest.93.3.645. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Thorax are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES