Critical airway induced by formalin injection: case report.

BACKGROUND: Formalin is a saturated aqueous solution comprising 37-40 per cent formaldehyde. It is often used in histopathology laboratories as a tissue preservative. The ingestion or injection of formalin has an immediate, powerful and destructive impact on humans. This paper reports a case of formalin injection and reviews the relevant world literature. CASE REPORT: A 36-year-old male attempted suicide by injecting formalin into the right side of his neck, resulting in a critical airway situation. An endotracheal tube was inserted and a tracheostomy was then performed to secure his airway. After receiving medical treatment, including antibiotics and N-acetyl cysteine, the status of the patient's airway improved. CONCLUSION: When examining patients who have injected substances into their neck, the possibility of deep neck inflammation with airway compromise should be considered. Immediate management, which should include establishment of a definitive airway and prophylactic infection control, is crucial.