Title: Lipoid Pneumonia: An Unusual Cause of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Young Person

Biography:

Dr. Mariya M Saleem is FCPS Trainee Resident, Thoracic Surgery Department, Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College, Karachi. She also worked at  Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan. Her research interests include thoracic surgery.

Abstract

Introduction
Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) is a rare form of pneumonia caused by inhalation or aspiration of a fatty substance. ELP has been reported with inhalation or ingestion of petroleum jelly, mineral oils, “nasal drops,” and even intravenous injection of olive oil.  It is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of several pulmonary syndromes because progression appears to be halted, or at least slowed, by stopping exposure to the offending lipid substance.
Case report
Here we are reporting an unusual case of a 45years old male with no prior co-morbid present with cough and shortness of breath referred to our specialty for lung biopsy. His CT scan revealed bilateral lung infiltrates, his open lung biopsy revealed: subpleural fibrosis, scarring, dense inflammation with widespread entrapped cholesterol clefts with foreign body giant cells in blood vessels and interstitium.
On further questioning, the patient admitted to the daily use of baby oil for dryness of hairs and body, the diagnosis of ELP was made caused by chronic improper use of baby oil. His condition improves after the discontinuation of baby oil.
Conclusion
The diagnosis of exogenous lipoid pneumonia is often difficult as symptoms, signs, and radiographic findings are all rather non-specific. We would like to emphasize the role of precise case history and histopathological diagnosis in the better identification of ELP. Treatment of ELP by total avoidance of causative agents is fundamental to achieving disease regression.