Lipoid pneumonia induced by aspiration of liquid paraffin

INTRODUCTION

This case report describes a case of exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) resulting from the inhalation of a lipoid substance. Lipoid pneumonia, also known as cholesterol pneumonia or golden pneumonia, is an uncommon inflammatory lung disease characterized by the presence of lipid-laden macrophages in the alveolar walls and lung interstitial tissue. Exogenous lipoid pneumonia occurs when substances containing lipids enter the airways through aspiration or inhalation, triggering an inflammatory response.

CASE REPORT

The patient in this case study was an 83-year-old woman with hypertension and diabetes mellitus who had been using paraffin oil as a mouthwash for an extended period. The diagnosis of exogenous lipoid pneumonia was established based on the patient's history of exposure to liquid paraffin oil, typical radiological findings, and histopathological examination.

Extrinsic lipoid pneumonia due to chronic polyethylene glycol consumption: A case report

Extrinsic lipoid pneumonia (ELP) results from the aspiration of lipid-containing substances. Tissue or cell histopathology after Oil-Red-O staining can confirm the diagnosis, which requires proper tissue handling and preparation during bronchoscopy. Here, we report a case of ELP in a quadriplegic patient with a long history of dysphagia and polyethylene glycol consumption. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed multiple, progressively enlarging, fat-attenuated, nodular pulmonary lesions. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and a transbronchial forceps biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of lipoid pneumonia. We discuss the clinical, radiological, and pathological features of ELP and highlight the preparatory steps required for obtaining a successful diagnosis.

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.

Shine like gold and sparkle like glitter: Three cases of lipoid pneumonia

Lipoid pneumonia (LP) is an unwonted, mostly asymptomatic entity which has no classical radiological appearance. It can be endogenous or exogenous depending upon the type of exposure or underlying milieu. It simulates a number of infective and malignant respiratory conditions and can go undiagnosed or delayed leading to morbidity and mortality. We put forward three cases that initially presented as classical pneumonia, but on further assessment and investigations were diagnosed to be LP. All the three cases manifested with symptoms of fever, productive cough and breathlessness. Chest Xray and CT scan were indicative of consolidation. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) evinced lipid laden macrophages that stained positive with fat stains (Sudan IV and Oil Red O). Two cases were endogenous and one was exogenous type. LP, owing to its nonspecific clinical presentation and radiographic signs, needs a high index of suspicion, and a detailed clinical history for accurate diagnosis. Corroboration of lipid laden alveolar macrophages in BAL is the crux to the diagnosis. Hence, clinicians should be cognizant of this condition and rule out LP in cases of non-resolving pneumonia in an appropriate clinical context.

Pattern of FDG-PET uptake in lipoid pneumonia simulating lung cancer

Lipoid pneumonia presents with a variety of lung abnormalities, particularly mass forming lesions that mimic lung cancers. While ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) is expected to discriminate both diseases, some previous reports showed pseudo-positive FDG uptake in lipoid pneumonia. Here, we report a case of pathologically proven chronic lipoid pneumonia in a 78-year-old Japanese man. Computed tomography (CT) showed multi-lobar mass-forming lesions with a fat-density. PET confirmed the spotty accumulation of FDG in the corresponding fat-density area on CT, suggesting lipoid pneumonia. We reviewed the literature and discussed the FDG uptake patterns in lipoid pneumonia.

Acute exogenous lipoid pneumonia presenting as spontaneous air leak following accidental baby oil aspiration

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) is an uncommon cause of respiratory distress. The practice of oil massage and oil instillation into the nostrils is common in the Indian subcontinent. Accidental aspiration of baby oil may lead to significant chemical pneumonitis. This presentation may vary from subtle to severe respiratory distress requiring intensive care management. Spontaneous air leaks are rare in acute ELP. We successfully managed a six-month-old girl presenting with mineral oil-induced ELP and air leaks. However, these children require long-term follow-up, as a small proportion may evolve into chronic lung disease.

Vaping-Associated Acute Respiratory Failure Due to Acute Lipoid Pneumonia

Electronic cigarettes, pens, cartridges and other devices were developed as nicotine delivery systems not requiring combustion of tobacco leaves. This technology was subsequently employed to deliver the cannabis component tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) via products often manufactured without adequate quality oversight and sold illegally. Recently, five patients presenting within a 2-month period with acute respiratory failure due to acute lipoid pneumonia after inhaling THC-containing concentrates or oils have been described. We report a 28-year-old previously healthy man who presented in acute respiratory failure 2 weeks after initiating use of a street-purchased THC-containing vape cartridge. Bronchoalveolar lavage cytology with oil red O staining confirmed the diagnosis of acute lipoid pneumonia. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and eosinophilic pneumonia were excluded. Evolving evidence supports a clinical entity of acute respiratory failure due to acute, exogenous lipoid pneumonia induced by THC-containing concentrates or oils inhaled through a variety of vaping products. All six patients reported to date received intravenous corticosteroids and survived to hospital discharge.

Exogenous Lipoid Pneumonia due to Chronic Inhalation of Oily Product Used as a Lubricant of Tracheotomy Cannula

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) is caused by the inhalation of vaporized oily products. Long-term exposure can result in chronic disease, whereas acute form usually results from massive aspiration of fatty substances. It has an incidence of 1.0%-2.5%. In case of symptomatic patients, the clinical presentation mainly includes acute or chronic respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, fever, cough and less frequently chest pain, hemoptysis, or weight loss. Radiological findings are often aspecific or misinterpreted, and ELP is sometimes misdiagnosed as a malignancy of the lungs. Patient history and radiological findings can lead to a suspicion of ELP, but histological microscopic findings of intra-alveolar lipid and lipid-laden macrophages are required to confirm the diagnosis The mainstay of treatment consists of avoiding ongoing exposure and providing supportive care as repeated whole-lung lavage, corticosteroids, and/or immunoglobulins. Surgery is reserved for cases of high suspicion of cancer or serious clinical impact (as recurrent infections). Prognosis is benign, even if it has been reported cases of progression to severe respiratory failure, cor pulmonale, superinfection, and association with lung cancer. Here, we describe a case of ELP due to chronic inhalation of oily product (Vaseline) used as a lubricant of tracheotomy cannula.

Comparison of exogenous and endogenous lipoid pneumonia: the relevance to bronchial anthracofibrosis

Lipoid pneumonia, caused by the accumulation of lipids in the alveoli, is classified into two forms (exogenous vs. endogenous) according to the source of the lipid exposure. There are no data directly comparing patients with exogenous and endogenous lipoid pneumonia. All patients who were diagnosed with lipoid pneumonia between January 2008 and December 2016 at Kyungpook National University Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital in South Korea, were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical, radiologic, and bronchoscopic findings for the two forms of lipoid pneumonia were compared. A total of 13 patients who met the criteria for a confirmed diagnosis of lipoid pneumonia were included. Dyspnea at presentation, predominant lower lobes involvement, bronchial anthracofibrosis (BAF), and recurrent episodes were more frequent in patients with the endogenous form than in those with the exogenous form. Of them, a notable finding was that BAF was identified in all five patients with the endogenous form, whereas BAF was observed in only one of the eight patients with the exogenous form (P=0.005). This finding suggests that BAF may be associated with endogenous form. Awareness of this association between endogenous lipoid pneumonia and BAF may help clinicians avoid delaying diagnoses.

Natural history of Mycobacterium fortuitum pulmonary infection presenting with migratory infiltrates: a case report with microbiological analysis

Background

Presence of Mycobacterium fortuitum in respiratory tracts usually indicates mere colonization or transient infection, whereas true pulmonary infection occurs in patients with gastroesophageal disease. However, little is known about the diagnostic indications for true M. fortuitum pulmonary infection and the natural history of the disease.

Case presentation

A 59-year-old man was referred to our hospital for treatment against M. fortuitum pulmonary infection. Fifteen years before the referral, he underwent total gastrectomy, after which he experienced esophageal reflux symptoms. After the referral, the patient was closely monitored without antimicrobial therapy because of mild symptoms and no pathological evidence of M. fortuitum pulmonary infection. During the observation, chest imaging showed migratory infiltrates. Two years after the referral, his lung biopsy specimen revealed foamy macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, indicating lipoid pneumonia. However, he was continually monitored without any treatment because there was no evidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial infection. Four years after the referral, he developed refractory pneumonia despite receiving adequate antibiotic therapy. After confirmation of granulomatous lesions, multiple antimicrobial therapy for M. fortuitum resulted in a remarkable improvement with no exacerbation for over 5 years. Random amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed identical M. fortuitum strains in seven isolates from six sputum and one intestinal fluid specimens obtained during the course of the disease.

Conclusions

We have described a patient with M. fortuitum pulmonary infection who presented with migratory infiltrates. The pathological evidence and microbiological analysis suggested that M. fortuitum pulmonary infection was associated with lipoid pneumonia and chronic exposure to gastrointestinal fluid. Therefore, physicians should carefully monitor patients with M. fortuitum detected from lower respiratory tract specimens and consider antimicrobial therapy for M. fortuitum infection when the patient does not respond to adequate antibiotic therapy against common pneumonia pathogens.

[About an unusual case of lipoid pneumonia]

Lipoid pneumonia, although uncommon, should be considered when patients had a chronic pneumonia. We report a case of a 40-year-old female who presented with a chronic pneumonia. The CT-scan analysis, then the bronchoalveolar lavage, revealed a lipoid pneumonia. This lipoid pneumonia was caused by chronic inhalation of niaoulis vapors. This etiology has not been described in the literature. Alveolar condensation disappeared one month after bronchoalveolar lavage. This suggests that bronchoalveolar lavage may contribute to opacity regression besides exogenous lipid eviction.

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.

Intensive immunosuppressive therapy for endogenous lipoid pneumonia associated with rheumatoid arthritis

Endogenous lipoid pneumonia is an uncommon inflammatory pulmonary disease that is caused by lipids from an endogenous source, the treatment for which has not been established. We report the first case of endogenous lipoid pneumonia presenting as lung consolidation and which was associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment was successful with intensive immunosuppressive therapy. When a physician finds lung consolidation in a patient with active rheumatic disease, lipoid pneumonia should be considered.

Endogenous lipoid pneumonia presenting as solitary pulmonary nodule: a case report

A 63-year-old woman complained of hemoptysis was admitted to our hospital. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) arising from the lower lobe of the right lung which was considered as lung malignancy. The patient underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) of pulmonary wedge resection to remove the nodule. Diagnosis of lipoid pneumonia was established by multiple lipid-laden macrophages found in surgical specimen. As there was no history of inhalation or aspiration of lipid containing substances, she was diagnosed as endogenous lipoid pneumonia. The patient discharged from our hospital after surgery and with no recurrence in 9 months period.