There Was Something in the Air: A Case of Interstitial Lung Disease Associated With Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Foam Degradation and Inhalation Syndrome

TL;DR

A case report links the degradation of foam in a CPAP device to the development of interstitial lung disease, which improved after stopping the device.

Contribution

This case highlights a novel association between CPAP foam degradation and interstitial lung disease.

Findings

Foam degradation in CPAP devices can cause respiratory symptoms and lung disease.

Discontinuation of the device led to resolution of the lung disease in the patient.

No increased incidence of cancer was observed among device users.

Abstract

Polyurethane foam degradation in ventilatory support devices led to a recall by Philips Respironics after users developed respiratory symptoms and noted a sediment in the tubing system of such devices. Foam degradation releases end products that have an irritative effect on the airway. Although the incidence of neoplastic processes did not increase among users, studies for other conditions are scant. The following case presents the association between the use of one of these devices and a new diagnosis of interstitial lung disease, which resolved upon discontinuation of the device, in a patient with obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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