Lipoid pneumonia in a gas station attendant.
The exogenous lipoid pneumonia, uncommon in adults, is the result of the inhalation and/or aspiration of lipid material into the tracheobronchial tree. This is often confused with bacterial pneumonia and pulmonary tuberculosis due to a nonspecific clinical and radiologic picture. It presents acutely or chronically and may result in pulmonary fibrosis. We describe here a case of lipoid pneumonia in a gas station attendant who siphoned gasoline to fill motorcycles; he was hospitalized due to presenting with a respiratory infection that was hard to resolve. The patient underwent bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage, which, on cytochemical (oil red O) evaluation, was slightly positive for lipid material in the foamy cytoplasm of alveolar macrophages. Due to his occupational history and radiographic abnormalities suggestive of lipoid pneumonia, a lung biopsy was performed to confirm the diagnosis. The patient was serially treated with segmental lung lavage and showed clinical, functional, and radiological improvement.
Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Fluminense Federal University, Pedro Antonio University Hospital, Rua Marques de Paraná, 303 Center, 24033-900 Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
Gladis Isabel
GI
Yampara Guarachi
Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Fluminense Federal University, Pedro Antonio University Hospital, Rua Marques de Paraná, 303 Center, 24033-900 Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
Valeria
V
Barbosa Moreira
Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Fluminense Federal University, Pedro Antonio University Hospital, Rua Marques de Paraná, 303 Center, 24033-900 Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
Angela
A
Santos Ferreira
Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Fluminense Federal University, Pedro Antonio University Hospital, Rua Marques de Paraná, 303 Center, 24033-900 Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
Selma M De A
SM
Sias
Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Fluminense Federal University, Pedro Antonio University Hospital, Rua Marques de Paraná, 303 Center, 24033-900 Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
Cristovão C
CC
Rodrigues
Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Fluminense Federal University, Pedro Antonio University Hospital, Rua Marques de Paraná, 303 Center, 24033-900 Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
Graça Helena M do C
GH
Teixeira