Annals of emergency medicine
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We report a case of accidental activated charcoal instillation into the lung of a 30-year-old man being managed for a cyclic antidepressant overdose. The patient was treated with multidose activated charcoal, and between his first and second doses, he pulled his nasogastric tube out of position. ⋯ He subsequently developed an adult respiratory distress syndrome but gradually improved after bronchoscopic removal of charcoal and supportive care. He was discharged 14 days later.