Exogenous lipoid pneumonia in children: a disease to be reminded of

A case of infantile exogenous lipoid pneumonia with an unusual complication managed by modified whole lung lavage

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) is a known complication of lipid administration through either the nasal or oral route. ELP in paediatric patients is usually managed by discontinuing lipid administration and supportive care, including respiratory support and the use of antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection. The other modalities that remain controversial include the use of corticosteroids and clearing lipids by whole lung lavage. We report a 2-month-old infant who presented with pneumonia and whose further history revealed exposure to ghee over a month period while visiting her grandparents in the south region of Saudi Arabia. The patient was later diagnosed as having ELP and was successfully managed with modified whole lung lavage till weaned off from oxygen. Unfortunately, the case was complicated by nontuberculous Mycobacterium chelonae, and the patient died despite maximum intervention.

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia in children: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

To describe the clinical-radiological-pathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of children with suspected exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP).

DESIGN

Systematic review. We searched electronic databases and reference lists published between 1967 and 2018, restricted to non-accidental cases.

RESULTS

Forty-four studies including 489 participants aged 1 day to 17 years from 13 countries were included. Cultural, medical, and behavioural rationale for oil-use was described. The clinical-radiological presentation varied widely. Diagnostic certainty was deemed highest if ELP was confirmed on bronchoalveolar lavage/frozen section lung biopsy with documented extracellular lipid on cytological staining and/or fat analysis. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria infection was identified in six studies: Mycobacterium fortuitum/chelonei, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium abscessus. Treatment comprised supportive therapy, corticosteroids, stopping oil, therapeutic lung-lavage and surgical resection. Outcomes were reported inconsistently.

CONCLUSION

Paediatric ELP resulting from cultural and medical practices continues to be described globally. Preventive interventions, standardized reporting, and treatment efficacy studies for cases not averted, are lacking. Protocol registration: PROSPERO CRD42017068313.

Exogenous lipid pneumonia in old people caused by aspiration: Two case reports and literature review

Background

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia is a rare entity, the diagnosis is often missed or delayed.

Objective

To investigate the clinical characteristics of exogenous lipid pneumonia in elderly patients, improve the efficiency of early diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Methods

Retrospectively analyzed the clinical information and imaging data of these 2 exogenous lipid pneumonia patients, reviewed related literature.

Results

Both of the 2 patients were over 60 with a history of gastrointestinal diseases. The clinical presentation is nonspecific. Chest CT showed many different manifestations. Histopathology analysis revealed the accumulation of lipid carrying macrophages, vacuolar cells and inflammation. A literature review indicated that 25 previous cases of exogenous lipid pneumonia were caused by aspiration. The most common site of the lesion was located in right lung, while mineral oil was the most common substances. We sought to discuss the patient's treatment and the corresponding outcomes.

Conclusion

The diagnosis of lipid pneumonia's mainly depends on medical history and histopathological morphology. The standard treatment for exogenous lipid pneumonia was composed of antibiotics, steroid, bronchoscopic lavage and a regular follow-up.

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia: an important cause of interstitial lung disease in infants

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP), an important cause of interstitial lung disease, often goes unrecognized. We conducted a retrospective study of children with histologically confirmed ELP at Red Cross Children's Hospital, South Africa. Twelve children of Zimbabwean heritage aged 2.1-10.8 months were identified between 2012 and 2017. Repeated oral administration of plant-based oil for cultural reasons was reported by 10 of 11 caregivers. Cough (12/12), tachypnoea (11/12), hypoxia (9/12), and diffuse alveolar infiltrates on chest radiography (12/12) were common at presentation. Chest computed tomography revealed ground-glass opacification with lower zone predominance (9/9) and interlobular septal thickening (8/9). Bronchoalveolar lavage specimens appeared cloudy/milky, with abundant lipid-laden macrophages and extracellular lipid on Oil-Red-O staining (12/12), with polymicrobial (6/12) and Mycobacterium abscessus (2/12) co-infection. Antibiotics, systemic corticosteroids, and therapeutic lavage were interventions in all eight and five patients, respectively. Clinicians should consider ELP in children with non-resolving pneumonia in settings with similar practices.

Adult exogenous lipoid pneumonia: A rare and underrecognized entity in cytology - A case series

Background:

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) is a rare benign entity without specific clinical or imaging presentation. Although cytological studies – either bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or fine-needle aspiration (FNA) – may be pursued in patients with ELP, a definitive diagnosis is frequently rendered only on histology. The aim of this study is to highlight the cytological features of ELP.

Methods:

A search of cytopathology (CP) and surgical pathology (SP) diagnoses of ELP was conducted. The corresponding clinical and imaging features were obtained, and the morphology, particularly the presence and size of the intracytoplasmic vacuoles and background, was assessed.

Results:

Nine cases of ELP were identified, including eight with corresponding CP and SP. A neoplasm was suspected in three based on imaging, but ELP was not in the differential clinically or radiographically in any. Among the cases, six patients had BALs and three FNAs. All of the samples showed multiple large vacuoles within macrophages with at least some equal to or larger than the size of the cell nucleus. Similar vacuoles were noted extracellularly on smears.

Conclusions:

ELP is typically described in case reports in the clinical or radiological literature. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the largest series of adult ELP in CP. When large vacuoles are present in macrophages in cytology specimens, at least a suspicion of ELP can be suggested to initiate appropriate therapy, identify/remove the inciting agent, and preclude a more invasive procedure.

Study of Acute Exogenous Lipoid Pneumonia

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinical and imagenological characteristics of acute Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP), explore its risk factors, and assess the potential role of multiple bronchoalveolar lavages (BALs) and steroid therapy in the treatment of children with acute ELP.

METHODS

Between May 2011 and July 2014, 33 pediatric patients with pneumonia caused by aspiration of oil-based substances were admitted to the Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangdong, China. Data on the demographics of these patients, as well as that on clinical presentations, imagenological characteristics, history of ingestion, laboratory observations, treatment protocol, response to therapy, BAL findings, and treatment outcomes were collected.

RESULTS

The study group consisted of 23 boys (69.7 %) and 10 girls (30.3 %), with ages ranging from 4 mo to 4 y. They were admitted to the hospital 2 h to 13 d after ingesting the oil-based substance. By the time of admission, most patients presented with respiratory distress and other symptoms, including tachypnea (n = 21), cough (n = 25), mild fever (n = 18), progressive dyspnea (n = 12), and pneumorrhagia (n = 5); six patients received mechanical ventilation because of complicated respiratory distress syndrome. The most common laboratory observations were leukocytosis (25 of 33, 75.8 %), neutrophilia (23 of 33, 69.7 %), and anemia (8 of 33, 24.2 %). Serum biochemical examination showed elevated sedimentation rates (24 of 33, 72.7 %), lactate dehydrogenase levels (18 of 33, 54.5 %), and C-reactive protein levels (17 of 33, 51.5 %). The most common finding on computed tomography (CT) scans was areas of consolidation. Within the follow-up duration of 2 wk to 6 mo, all patients with clinical symptoms of ELP experienced remission, and none died. The CT scans of most of the cases were normal by 1 to 3 mo, except for two patients who showed complete improvement 6 mo after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

It was found that multiple BALs combined with steroid therapy result in significant improvement of clinical, radiologic, and laboratory parameters in children with acute ELP. Further, some traditional practices may predispose children to ELP, even in the absence of underlying risk factors. Finally, pneumorrhagia and acute respiratory distress syndrome may be the main complications of acute ELP in children.