Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP): when radiologist makes the difference.
Lipoid pneumonia is an uncommon disorder characterized by accumulation of lipid components into the interstitial and alveolar compartment. The usual classification distinguishes endogenous and exogenous and acute or chronic forms, related to the type of fats, the amount of damage and the time of exposure. We describe a case of exogenous lipoid pneumonia by inhalation of vaseline used for cleaning of the tracheostoma in a 63-year-old female, presenting as cough, worsening dyspnea in few weeks. The diagnosis was finally established with a re-evaluation of BAL with specific staining for lipids, revealing the presence of foamy macrophages lipids rich, according to HRCT findings.
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy.
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Rea
Respiratory Medicine Division, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
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Perna
Respiratory Medicine Division, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
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Calabrese
Respiratory Medicine Division, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
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Molino
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy.
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Valente
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
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Vatrella
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL); Exogenous Lipoid pneumonia(ELP); High Resolution Computed tomography (HRCT)