A 65-year-old woman from Kottayam has made a remarkable recovery after a kerosene stove explosion at her residence led to a rare and potentially fatal lung disease. Thanks to timely intervention and an advanced medical procedure at Amrita Hospital, Kochi, the woman’s life was saved.
Following the incident, the woman was rushed to Amrita Hospital in critical condition, suffering from severe respiratory distress caused by inhalation of toxic smoke. On examination, doctors diagnosed her with Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) — a rare lung condition characterized by the buildup of a thick, proteinaceous fluid within the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs.
In a bid to save her life, doctors performed a whole lung lavage, a highly specialised and technically demanding procedure. The treatment involved flushing the patient’s lungs with approximately 40 litres of warm saline solution to clear the accumulated surfactant material.
At the time of the procedure, the woman was on ventilator support and her condition was considered extremely critical. However, under close monitoring and expert post-operative care, her health gradually improved. She was eventually weaned off the ventilator and discharged in a stable condition.
The complex intervention was led by Dr. Tinku Joseph, Chief Interventional Pulmonologist at Amrita Hospital, supported by a multidisciplinary team comprising Dr. Sreeraj Nair, Dr. Tushara Madathil, and Ebin Augustine.
Dr. Joseph noted that Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis can sometimes be triggered by the inhalation of toxic substances such as those released in combustion-related accidents, including stove explosions. Early diagnosis and timely management are crucial to improving outcomes in such rare cases.
This case highlights the importance of specialised medical care and teamwork in managing rare respiratory conditions and emergency situations stemming from domestic accidents.