Lipoid Pneumonia in a Gas Station Attendant

The exogenous lipoid pneumonia, uncommon in adults, is the result of the inhalation and/or aspiration of lipid material into the tracheobronchial tree. This is often confused with bacterial pneumonia and pulmonary tuberculosis due to a nonspecific clinical and radiologic picture. It presents acutely...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gladis Isabel Yampara Guarachi, Valeria Barbosa Moreira, Angela Santos Ferreira, Selma M. De A. Sias, Cristovão C. Rodrigues, Graça Helena M. do C. Teixeira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Pulmonology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/358761
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Summary:The exogenous lipoid pneumonia, uncommon in adults, is the result of the inhalation and/or aspiration of lipid material into the tracheobronchial tree. This is often confused with bacterial pneumonia and pulmonary tuberculosis due to a nonspecific clinical and radiologic picture. It presents acutely or chronically and may result in pulmonary fibrosis. We describe here a case of lipoid pneumonia in a gas station attendant who siphoned gasoline to fill motorcycles; he was hospitalized due to presenting with a respiratory infection that was hard to resolve. The patient underwent bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage, which, on cytochemical (oil red O) evaluation, was slightly positive for lipid material in the foamy cytoplasm of alveolar macrophages. Due to his occupational history and radiographic abnormalities suggestive of lipoid pneumonia, a lung biopsy was performed to confirm the diagnosis. The patient was serially treated with segmental lung lavage and showed clinical, functional, and radiological improvement.
ISSN:2090-6846
2090-6854