Inhalation Injury.

Inhalation injury is defined as acute respiratory tract damage of variable severity caused by inspiration of steam or toxic inhalants such as fumes, gases, and mists. Fumes consist of small particles dispersed in air, usually with various irritants or cytotoxic chemicals adherent to the particles. Mists consist of aerosolized irritants or cytotoxic liquids. Smoke consists of a combination of fumes, gases, mists, and hot air. The level and degree of injury are broadly determined by the physicochemical properties of the causative agent, the amount inhaled, and any preexisting diseases of the victim. Inhalation injury is notable for its inhomogeneity both within and between patients and may occur independently from cutaneous burn injury, although they usually occur together. Inhalation injury may occur at any location along the respiratory tract. The airway may conveniently be divided into three anatomical areas which are differentially affected by inhalation injury the supraglottic, tracheobronchial major airways, and lung parenchymal regions.