Exogenous lipoid pneumonia successfully treated with bronchoscopic segmental lavage therapy.

Abstract

A 65-y-old Japanese man was referred to the respiratory medicine department because of abnormal radiologic findings. High-resolution chest computed tomography scans revealed a geographic distribution of ground-glass opacities and associated thickening of the interlobular septa (crazy-paving patterns) in both lower lobes. He had a habit of drinking 400-500 mL of milk and 400-800 mL of canned coffee with milk every day. A swallowing function test revealed liquid dysphagia. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology findings showed multiple lipid-laden macrophages. Taken together, these findings revealed exogenous lipoid pneumonia. We performed bronchoscopic segmental lavage therapy 3 times in the left lung. After the treatment, the radiologic findings improved in both lungs. The patient has not experienced a recurrence of lipoid pneumonia in 2 y to date. In conclusion, a case of exogenous lipoid pneumonia was successfully treated with bronchoscopic segmental lavage therapy.

• Authors: Shota Nakashima, Yuji Ishimatsu, Shintaro Hara, Masanori Kitaichi, Shigeru Kohno
• Journal: Respiratory care (Respir Care) Vol. 60 Issue 1 Pg. e1-5 (Jan 2015) ISSN: 1943-3654 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25161297 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 by Daedalus Enterprises.

Topics

• Aged
• Animals
• Bronchoalveolar Lavage
• Bronchoscopy
• Deglutition Disorders (complications)
• Humans
• Male
• Milk (adverse effects)
• Pneumonia, Aspiration (diagnostic imaging, etiology, therapy)
• Radiography