title: Exogenous lipoid pneumonia as a contributory factor in a drug-related death.
abstract: Postmortem investigation often reveals various conditions, which may or may not have played a part in the death of the individual. The case of a 32-year-old woman is reported, with a long history of drug addiction. She was found dead in her bed. The autopsy revealed diffuse pulmonary edema with congestion of the lungs, brain, liver, and spleen. Microscopic examination of the lungs showed multiple intra-alveolar and interstitial foamy macrophages and extracellular fat droplets surrounded by polynuclear giant cells. Death was attributed to acute polydrug intoxication. As microscopic examination had revealed severe pulmonary lesions, lipoid pneumonia was considered as a contributing factor to death. Lipoid pneumonia is an uncommon entity with the characteristic radiograph features and histologic findings of alveoli filled with vacuolated, lipid-laden histiocytes. It can be either exogenous or endogenous in cause, based on the source of the lipid. Exogenous lipoid pneumonia usually results from aspiration or inhalation of fat-like material, such as mineral oil or petroleum-based lubricants and decongestants, resulting in pulmonary inflammatory reactions.
authors.affiliation: Institut Médico-Légal, CHRU de Tours, F-37044, Tours, France; Université François Rabelais, F-37020, Tours, France.
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.forename: Camille
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rérolle
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deveaux
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paraf
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saint-Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011017:Pneumonia, Lipid / Q000473:pathology*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000473:pathology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D002047:Buprenorphine
keywords: autopsy; buprenorphine; drug intoxication; forensic pathology; forensic science; lipoid pneumonia; unexpected finding