Abstract

Lipoid pneumonia can develop from exposure to different types of oil, but occupational exposure is rare. A 58-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for patchy airspace opacities in the lungs with lower lobe predominance on chest computed tomography. She was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma seven years ago, but was in complete remission. She had mild cough and sputum, but no history of taking any lipid-containing agents. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed lipid-laden macrophages with Oil Red O staining, which led to the suspicion of lipoid pneumonia. Re-evaluation of her personal history revealed that she was a dry-cleaning worker who worked with organic solvent sprayers. Her condition was successfully managed with corticosteroids and avoidance of further occupational exposure to the substance. This rare case of occupational exogenous lipoid pneumonia in a dry-cleaning worker suggests the importance of considering a patient's occupational history during diagnosis.

worked with hydrocarbon-based solvent sprayers to remove dirt stains from clothes before putting them in a dry-cleaning machine daily for several years

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CT changes basal unlike most occupational aerosol lipoid pneumonias

5/26/2021