Chest Imaging

Lipoid pneumonia

results from aspiration of mineral, vegetable or animal oil. Pathologically, the lesions are characterized at an early stage by a haemorrhagic bronchopneumonia followed by an infiltrate of lipid-laden macrophages within the air-spaces. A fibroblastic proliferation with bands of collagen occurs subsequently. The chest radiograph may show localized or bilateral air-space consolidation, irregular pulmonary nodule or mass. On CT scans, consolidation may contain fat that is highly suggestive of the diagnosis (Fig.1). Irregular linear opacities and architectural distorsion are visible around the area of consolidation and indicate fibrosis.

PG

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Fig.1

CT scans (a, b) in a young woman suffering from exogeneous lipoid pneumonia induced by recurrent ingestion of paraffin oil for dietary reasons, show bilateral areas of consolidation of fatty density within the posterolateral segment of the right middle lobe and the lingula.
Lipoid pneumonia, Fig.1 (a)
Lipoid pneumonia, Fig.1 (b)