A proposito di un raro caso di ustione combinata termica e chimica.

An unusual case of combined thermal and chemical burn following exposure to hot water, HCL and dichloroethane is reported. A 49-years-old man was burnt by a jet of hot water and chemicals from a broken conduct while working at night in a chemical factory producing polyvynilchloride. On admission, two hours after the injury, the patient presented apparently superficial burns of the skin of the abdomen, left arm, upper most part of both thighs and scrotum, right leg and ankle. The clinical course was characterized by progressive development of the lesions, delayed onset of pain and gradual retarded resolution. The action of causative agents is discussed: in particular, the role of dichloroethane, which has been previously reported as a poisoning agent but not, in our knowledge, as a causative agent of chemical burns, is outlined. This case illustrates a possible hazard of chemical industry work environment and the importance of prevention.