Abstract
Upper respiratory and pulmonary complications of cocaine addiction have been increasingly reported in recent years, with most of the patients being intravenous addicts, users of freebase, or smokers of “crack.”
The toxicity of cocaine is complex and is exerted via multiple central and peripheral pathways. Recurrent snorting of cocaine may result in ischemia, necrosis, and infections of the nasal mucosa, sinuses, and adjacent structures.
Pulmonary complications of cocaine toxicity include pulmonary edema, pulmonary hemorrhages, pulmonary barotrauma, foreign body granulomas, cocaine related pulmonary infection, obliterative bronchiolitis, asthma, and persistent gas-exchange abnormalities.
Respiratory manifestations are nonspecific and include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, hemoptysis, and chest pains. Severe respiratory difficulties have been reported in neonates of abusing mothers.
In the absence of a cocaine-abuse history, it may be difficult to recognize the etiological role of cocaine, especially in the absence of needle tracks pointing to previous intravenous drug abuse and/or negative toxicology.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Brody SL, Slovis CM, Wrenn KD: Cocaine-related medical problems: consecutive series of 233 patients. Am J Med 88:235–331, 1990.
Schweitzer VG: Osteolytic sinusitis and pneumomediastinal deceptive otolaryngologic complications of cocaine abuse. Laryngoscope 96(2):206–210, 1986.
Doss PL, Gowitt GT: Investigation of death caused by rectal insertion of cocaine. Am J Forens Med Pathol 9(4):336–338, 1988.
Kloss MW, Rosen GM, Rauckman EJ: Commentary: Cocaine mediated hepatotoxicity—A critical review. Biochem Pharmacol 33:169–173, 1984.
Rauckman EJ, Rosen GM, Cavagnaro J: Norcocaine nitroxide—a potential hepatotoxic metabolite of cocaine. Mol Pharmacol 21:458–463, 1982.
Woodward JJ, Mansbach R, Carroll FI, Balster RL: Cocaethylene inhibits dopamine uptake and produces cocaine-like actions in drug discrimination studies. Eur J Pharmacol 197:235–236, 1991.
Van Dyke C, Tatlow P, Ungerer T, et al.: Oral cocaine: plasma concentration and central effects. Science 200:211–213, 1987.
Paly D, Tatlow P, Van Dyke C, et al.: Plasma cocaine concentrations during cocaine paste smoking. Life Sci 30:731–738, 1982.
Inaba T: Cocaine pharmacokinetics and biotransformation in man. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 67(9):1154–1157, 1989.
Inaba T, Stewart DT, Kalow W: Metabolism of cocaine in man. Clin Pharmacol Ther 23:547–552, 1978.
Ambre J, Ruo TI, Nelson J, Belknap S: Urinary excretion of cocaine, benzoylecgonine, and ecgonine methyl ester in humans. J Anal Toxicol 12(6):301–306, 1988.
Bazelt RC, Chang R: Urinary excretion of cocaine and benzoylecgonine following oral ingestion in a single subject. J Anal Toxicol 11:81–82, 1987.
Ambre J, Ruo TI, Nelson J, Belknap S: Urinary excretion of ecgonine methyl ester a major metabolite of cocaine in humans. J Anal Toxicol 8:23–25, 1984.
Poklis A, Mackell MA, Graham M: Disposition of cocaine in fatal poisoning in man. J Anal Toxicol 9:227–229, 1985.
Cravey RH: Cocaine toxicity. Trauma 32(2):43–83, 1990.
Wetli CW, Fishbain DA: Cocaine-induced psychosis and sudden death in recreational cocaine users. J Forens Sci 30:873–880, 1985.
Taylor RF, Bernard GR: Airways complications from freebase cocaine. Chest 95:476–477, 1989.
Savitt DL, Colagiovani S: Crack cocaine-related epiglottitis. Ann Emerg Med 20(3):322–323,1991 (Letter).
Schwartz RH, Estroff T, Fairbanks DN, Hoffman NG: Nasal symptoms associated with cocaine abuse during adolescence. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 115(1):63–64, 1989.
Kudrow DB, Henri DA, Haake DA, Marshall G, Mathisen GE: Botulism associated with Clostridium botulinwn sinusitis after intranasal cocaine abuse. Ann Intern Med 109(12):984–985, 1988.
Goldberg RA, Weisman JS, McFarland JE, Krauss HR, Hepler RS, Shorr N: Orbital inflammation and optic neuropathies associated with chronic sinusitis of intranasal cocaine abuse. Possible role of contiguous inflammation. Arch Ophthalmol 107(6):831–835, 1989.
Arif A: Adverse Health Consequences of Cocaine Abuse. Geneva, World Health Organization, 1987.
Chaudhry RM, Abadir AR, Gintautiene K, Berman S, Longmore W, Pillalamarri ED, Gintautas J: Effect of cocaine abuse on nasal mucosa, septum and turbinates. Proc West Pharmacol Soc 33:249–251, 1990.
Dagett RB, Haghigi P, Terkeltaub RA: Nasal cocaine abuse causing an aggressive midline intranasal and pharyngeal destructive process mimicking midline reticulosis and limited Wegener’s granulomatosis. J Rheumatol 17(6):838–840, 1990.
Deutsch HL, Millard DR Jr: A new cocaine abuse complex. Involvement of nose, septum, palate and pharynx. Arch Otolaryngol 115(2):235–237, 1989.
Slavin SA, Goldwyn RM: The cocaine user: the potential problem for rhinoplasty. Plast Reconstruct Surg 86(3):436–442, 1990.
Ettinger NA, Albin RJ: A review of the respiratory effects of smoking cocaine. Am J Med 87:664–668, 1989.
McCaroll KA, Roszler MH: Lung disorders due to drug abuse. J Thorac Imag 6(1):30–35, 1991.
Krutckoff DJ, Eisenberg E, O’Brien JE, Ponzillo JJ: Cocaine induced dental erosions. N Engl J Med 332(6):408, 1990 (Letter).
Hoffman CK, Goodman PC: Pulmonary edema in cocaine smokers. Radiology 172:463–465, 1989.
Hoffman CK, Goodman PC: Pulmonary edema in cocaine smokers. Radiology 172:463–465, 1989.
Cucco RH, Yoo OH, Cregler L, Chang JC: Nonfatal pulmonary freebase cocaine smoking. Am Rev Respir Dis 136:179–181, 1987.
Alfred RJ, Ewer S: Fatal pulmonary edema following intravenous “freebase” cocaine use. Ann Emerg Med 8:441–442, 1981.
Allred RJ, Ewer S: Fatal pulmonary edema following intravenous “freebase” cocaine use. Ann Emerg Med 10:441–442, 1981.
Hyman AL, Nandiwada P, Knight DS, Kadowitz PJ: Pulmonary vasodilator responses to catecholamine and sympathetic nerve stimulation in the cat. Circ Res 48:407–415, 1981.
Kline JN, Hirasuna JD: Pulmonary edema after freebase cocaine smoking—not due to an adulterant. Chest 97:1009–1010, 1990.
Efferen L, Palat D, Meisner J: Nonfatal pulmonary edema following cocaine smoking. NY State J Med (89)7:415–416, 1989.
Robin ED, Wong RJ, Ptaashne KA: Increased lung water and ascites after massive cocaine overdosage in mice and improved survival related to beta-adrenergic blockade. Ann Intern Med 110(3):202–207, 1989.
Cucco RA, Yoo OH, Creglar L, Chang JC: Nonfatal pulmonary edema, after “freebase” cocaine smoking. Am Rev Respir Dis 136:179–181, 1987.
Wray WP, Nicota MB: Pathogenesis of neurogenic pulmonary edema. Am Rev Respir Dis 136:1250–1252, 1987.
Colice GL, Matthay MA, Base E, Mathay RA: Neurogenic pulmonary edema. Am Rev Respir Dis 130:941–948, 1984.
Eurman DW, Potash HI, Eyler WR, Beute GH, Caganussi P: Chest pains related to “crack” cocaine smoking: value of chest radiography. Radiology 169(P):302, 1988.
Hoffman CK, Goodman PC: Pulmonary edema in cocaine smokers. Radiology 172:463–465, 1989.
Murray RJ, Albin RJ, Mergher W, Criner GJ: Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage temporally related to cocaine smoking. Chest 93:427–429, 1988.
Walek JW: Pulmonary hemorrhage in a cocaine abuser. Chest 94:222,1988 (Letter to the Editor).
Forrester JM, Steele AW, Waldron JA, Parsons PE: Crack lung—an acute pulmonary syndrome and a spectrum of clinical and histopathologic findings. Am Rev Respir Dis 142:462–467, 1990.
Justiniani FR, Cabeza C, Miller BA: Brief clinical observations: cocaine-associated rhabdomyolysis and hemoptysis mimicking pulmonary embolism. Am J Med 88(3):316–317, 1990 (Letter).
Godwin JE, Harley RA, Miller KS, Heffner JE: Cocaine, pulmonary hemorrhage and hemoptysis. Ann Intern Med 110(10):843,1989 (Letter).
Suhl J, Gorelick A: Pulmonary function in male freebase cocaine smokers. Am Rev Respir Dis 137:488, 1988.
Murray RJ, Smialek J, Golle M, et al.: Pulmonary vascular abnormalities in cocaine users. Am Rev Respir Dis 137:459, 1988.
Forrester JM, Steele AW, Waldron JA, Parsons PE: Crack lung: an acute pulmonary syndrome with a spectrum of clinical and histopathological findings. Am Rev Respir Dis 142(2):462–467, 1990.
Morris JB, Shuck JM: Pneumomediastinum in a young male cocaine user. Ann Emerg Med 14(2):164–166, 1985.
Mundinger MO: Pneumopericardium from cocaine inhalation. N Engl J Med 313:48–49, 1985.
Seaman ME: Barotrauma related to inhalational drug abuse. J Emerg Med 8(2):141–149, 1990.
Shesser R, Davis C, Edelstein S: Pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax after inhaling alkaloidal cocaine. Ann Emerg Med 10:213–215, 1981.
Goldberg REA, Lipuma JP, Cohen AM: Pneumomediastinum associated with cocaine abuse: case report and review of the literature. J Thorac Imaging 2:88, 1987.
Miller WE, Spiekerman RE, Hepper NG: Pneumomediastinum resulting from performing Valsalva maneuvers during marijuana smoking. Chest 62(2):233–234, 1972.
Brody SL, Anderson GV Jr, Gutman JB: Pneumomediastinum as a complication of crack smoking. Am J Emerg Med 6(3):241–243, 1988.
Arnett EN, Battle WE, Russo JV, Roberts WC: Intravenous injection of talc-containing drugs intended for oral use. Am J Med 60:711–718, 1976.
Pare JAP, Fraser RG, Hogg JC, Howie HJC, Murphy SB: Pulmonary “mainline” granulomatosis: talcosis of intravenous methadone abuse. Medicine (Baltimore) 58:229–239, 1979.
Cooper CB, Bai TR, Heyderman E, Corrin B: Cellulose granuloma in the lungs of a cocaine sniffer. Br Med J 286:2021–2022, 1983.
Oubeid M, Bickel JT, Ingram EA, Scott GC: Pulmonary talc granulomatosis in a cocaine sniffer. Chest 98(1):237–239, 1990.
Heffner JE, Harley RA, Schabel SI: Pulmonary reactions from illicit substance abuse. Clin Chest Med 11(1):151–162, 1990.
O’Donnell AE, Pappas LS: Pulmonary complications of intravenous drug abuse. Chest 94:251–256, 1988.
Morgan JM, Morgan AD, Addis B, et al.: Fatal hemorrhage from mycotic aneurysm of the pulmonary artery. Thorax 41:70–74, 1986.
Berkowitz K, LaSala A: Risk factors associated with the increased prevalence of pneumonia during pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 163(3):981–985, 1990.
Patel RC, Deepa D, Schonfeld SA: Free base cocaine use associated with bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia. Ann Intern Med 107:186–187, 1987.
Tashkin DP, Coulson AH, Clark VA, et al.: Respiratory symptoms and lung function in habitual heavy smokers of marijuana, smokers of marijuana and tobacco, smokers of tobacco alone and non-smokers. Am Rev Respir Dis 135:206–216, 1987.
Roy PE, Magnan-Lapoiate F, Huy ND, Boutet M: Chronic inhalation of marijuana and tobacco in dogs: pathology. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 14:305–317, 1976.
Rao An, Polos PG, Walther FA: Crack abuse and asthma: a fatal combination. NY State J Med 90(10):511–512, 1990.
Rubin RB, Neugarten J: Cocaine associated asthma. Am J Med 88(4):438–439, 1990.
Kissner DG, Lawrence WD, Selis JE, Flint A: Crack lung: pulmonary disease caused by cocaine abuse. Am Rev Respir Dis 136:1250–1252, 1987.
Rebhun J: Association of asthma and freebase smoking. Ann Allergy 60(4):339–342, 1988.
Ettinger NA, Albin RJ: A review of the respiratory effects of smoking cocaine. Am J Med 87:664–668, 1989.
Berro E, Mehta J, Dralle WM, Williams J: “Ring around the artery” as a presenting feature in undiagnosed asthma with pneumomediastinum. South Med J 83(2):215–217, 1990.
Dean NC, Clark HW, Doherty JJ, Brown JK: Pulmonary function in heavy users of “freebase” cocaine. Am Rev Respir Dis 137(Suppl):489, 1988.
Weiss RD, Goldenheim PD, Mirin SM, Hales CA, Mendelson JH: Pulmonary dysfunction in cocaine smokers. Am J Psychiatry 138(8):1110–1112, 1981.
Itkonen J, Schnoll S, Glassroth J: Pulmonary dysfunction in “freebase” cocaine users. Arch Intern Med 144:2195–2197, 1984.
Murray R, Smialek J, Golle M, Albin R: Pulmonary vascular abnormalities in cocaine users. Am Rev Respir Dis 137(Suppl 4):459, 1988.
Murray R, Smialek J, Golle M, Albin R: Pulmonary artery medial hypertrophy without foreign body microembolization in cocaine users. Chest 94S:48, 1989.
Tashkin DP, Simmons MS, Coulson AH, Clark VA, Gong H: Respiratory effects of cocaine “freebasing” among habitual users of marijuana with or without tobacco. Chest 92:638–644, 1987.
Tashkin DP, Fligiel S, Wu TC, Gong H Jr, Barbers RG, Coulson AH, Simmons MS, Beals TF: The effects of habitual use of marijuana and/or cocaine on the lung. NIDA Res Monogr 99:63–87, 1990.
Tashkin DP, Simmons MS, Coulson AH, Clark VA, Gong H: Respiratory effects of cocaine “freebasing” among habitual users of marijuana with or without tobacco. Chest 92(4):638–644, 1987.
Collins E, Hardwick RJ, Jeffery H: Perinatal cocaine intoxication. Med J Aust 150(6):331–332, 1989.
Mirchandani HG, Hellman F, English-Rider R, Rosen S, Laposata EA: Passive inhalation of free-base cocaine (“crack”) smoke by infants. Arch Pathol Lab Med 115(5):494–498, 1991.
Schou H, Krogh B, Knudsen F: Unexpected cocaine intoxication in a fourteen month old child following topical administration. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 25(5):419–422, 1987.
Bateman DA, Heagarty MC: Passive freebase cocaine (“crack”) inhalation by infants and toddlers. Am J Dis Child 143(1):25–27, 1989.
Schwartz RH: Passive inhalation of marijuana, phencyclidine and freebase cocaine (“crack”) by infants. Amg Dis Child 143(6):644, 1989.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1992 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Perper, J.A., Van Thiel, D.H. (1992). Respiratory Complications of Cocaine Abuse. In: Galanter, M. (eds) Recent Developments in Alcoholism. Recent Developments in Alcoholism, vol 10. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1648-8_18
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1648-8_18
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-1650-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-1648-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive