Amrita Hospital has successfully treated a woman from Kottayam who developed a rare and life-threatening lung condition after a kerosene cooking stove exploded, filling her lungs with toxic smoke. The 65-year-old homemaker was critically ill when she arrived at Amrita Hospital, following the accident that occurred while she was cooking at home. She had inhaled dense smoke from the explosion, leading to severe respiratory distress.
Upon detailed evaluation, doctors diagnosed her with Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) — a rare condition in which a milky white fluid accumulates in the lungs. The disease was confirmed by specialists at the hospital. Dr. Tinku Joseph, Chief Interventional Pulmonologist at Amrita Hospital, led the rare and complex procedure required for treatment.
The treatment involved flushing out the lungs using around 40 liters of warm saline solution through a process called whole lung lavage. The procedure was repeated several times to completely remove the thick, milk-like substance clogging the lungs. Dr. Tinku Joseph explained that this condition occurs due to excessive production of surfactant protein in the lungs, and it affects only a very small number of people globally.
The woman was on ventilator support and critically ill at the time of the procedure. Thanks to the timely and rare intervention, she gradually recovered and was soon able to breathe on her own. She was discharged in stable condition a few days later.
In addition to Dr. Tinku Joseph, the multidisciplinary team included Dr. Sreeraj Nair, Dr. Tushara Madathil, and Ebin Augustine.
