Tissue injury by hot fluid containing nitrogen mustard

Nitrogen mustards are analogous to sulfur mustard and have similar toxic effects on tissues. With the recent surge in terror activity, mustard could be used by terrorists. Recently a group of patients suffered from skin injury caused by hot fluid containing nitrogen mustard were treated. All the patients displayed eye symptoms such as eye pain, photophobia, excessive tearing, and blurred vision. One patient suffered from severe inhalation injury. Laboratory examination showed the decrease of white blood cell count, which may result from the loss of neutrophils. At the same time, platelets were at lower level during the first 8 days and gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT), a marker of oxidative stress, was significantly increased.