Styrene gas poisoning: A histopathological study of autopsy cases in a tertiary care center

Abstract

Background: Styrene is an organic compound used to make plastics and rubber. Exposure to toxic levels of styrene is a rare phenomenon. Hence, there is a paucity of knowledge of its effect on various organs. The objective of the present study is to study the histopathological features of the organs affected in the deceased persons in a population who have been accidentally exposed to high concentrations of styrene. Methods: The present study is an observational study conducted in the Department of Pathology, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam. Organs from 11 deceased cases were received following autopsy. All the organs were grossly examined and microscopically studied, following staining by Hematoxylin and Eosin stains. Results: In the present study, the lung is the most common organ affected (100%) characterized by acute lung injury. Other organs showing significant histopathological findings were the brain, liver, kidney, and spleen. Brain showing edema and congestion in 90% cases, liver revealed cholestasis, hydropic change, and congestion. In the kidney, cloudy swelling was the most common histopathological finding (70%), and in the spleen, congested sinusoids were seen in 100% of cases. Conclusion: Lungs, brain, liver, kidneys, and spleen showed histopathological changes in the deceased cases following styrene exposure. The lung is the most commonly affected organ leading to acute lung injury.