Abstract
BackgroundHydrocarbon-induced occupational liver injury is a well-known clinical entity among petroleum industry workers. There are many types of hydrocarbon exposure, with inhalation being the most common. Hydrocarbon-induced occupational liver injury is a rarely suspected and commonly missed etiological agent for liver injury. We report a case of a non-petroleum industry worker with chronic liver disease secondary to hydrocarbon-induced occupational liver injury caused by chronic low-grade hydrocarbon ingestion due to occupational malpractice.Case presentationA 23-year-old Sri Lankan man who was a motor mechanic presented to our hospital with decompensated cirrhosis. He had been chronically exposed to gasoline via inadvertent ingestion due to occupational malpractice. He used to remove gasoline from carburetors by sucking and failed to practice mouth washing thereafter. On evaluation, he had histologically proven established cirrhosis. A comprehensive history and workup ruled out other nonoccupational etiologies for cirrhosis. The patient’s long-term occupational gasoline exposure and clinical course led us to a diagnosis of hydrocarbon-induced occupational liver injury leading to decompensated cirrhosis.ConclusionsHydrocarbon-induced occupational liver injury should be considered as a cause when evaluating a patient with liver injury with possible exposure in relevant occupations.
Highlights
Hydrocarbon-induced occupational liver injury is a well-known clinical entity among petroleum industry workers
Hydrocarbon-induced occupational liver injury should be considered as a cause when evaluating a patient with liver injury with possible exposure in relevant occupations
We report a case in a motor mechanic with hydrocarbon-related occupational liver injury (HC-LI) following chronic ingestion of gasoline resulting from occupational malpractice
Summary
Chronic exposure to gasoline leading to HC-LI should be considered as an etiological factor for the development of cirrhosis in workers in occupations with possible exposure. Taking a detailed occupational history is necessary to establish HC-LI because this entity is underestimated and commonly missed in clinical practice. Because many young people in the economically productive age group are engaged in high-risk occupational activities, we suggest increasing awareness regarding mishandling of petroleumbased products to prevent the development of HC-LI and to reduce the burden on health care systems
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