Acute exogenous lipoid pneumonia

Acute exogenous lipoid pneumonia is an uncommon form of exogenous lipoid pneumonia and is typically caused by the aerosolization and aspiration of a highly viscous hydrocarbon, such as vegetable oil, mineral oil or petroleum jelly ⁵. The more common pulmonary toxicity exerted by hydrocarbons is an aspiration pneumonitis, typically those of low viscosity and high volatility, and may be a sequela of either aspiration or ingestion.

Radiographic features

Chest radiograph

Non-specific but may show areas of consolidation and with a lower lobe involvement in a majority of patients ².

CT

Non specific but may show areas of

• consolidation (considered most common finding) which may have a bilateral lower lobes predilection, followed by the right lower lobe, the right middle lobe, the left lower lobe, and the lingular involvement.

Other described changes include

• ground glass changes ³

• hyperinflation ³

Occasionally pleural effusions and cystic changes have been described ³.

See also

• lipoid pneumonia

• aspiration pneumonitis