Acute exogenous lipoid pneumonia leading to severe ARDS: a case report
Abstract Background Exogenous lipoid pneumonia, a form of pneumonia caused by the aspiration of lipid substances, is often associated with the use of mineral oil. Historically, cases have predominantly been reported in young children, elderly, or individuals with compromised physical strength or neu...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Pulmonary Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-025-03780-0 |
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| author | Youdi Ye Hui Cai Chunfeng Dai Qin Hu Qiaoqiao Cao Jing Bi Yuanlin Song Jinjun Jiang Shujing Chen |
| author_facet | Youdi Ye Hui Cai Chunfeng Dai Qin Hu Qiaoqiao Cao Jing Bi Yuanlin Song Jinjun Jiang Shujing Chen |
| author_sort | Youdi Ye |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Exogenous lipoid pneumonia, a form of pneumonia caused by the aspiration of lipid substances, is often associated with the use of mineral oil. Historically, cases have predominantly been reported in young children, elderly, or individuals with compromised physical strength or neurological disorders, with the majority presenting as mild or chronic conditions. Upon cessation of exposure to lipids, symptoms typically showed improvement. Case presentation We report a case of a previously healthy middle-aged man who developed respiratory failure and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following the accidental aspiration of sewing machine oil, and a chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed consolidations in both lungs, with local attenuation visible in the mediastinal window. Lipid vacuoles were observed in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and Oil Red O staining was positive, confirming the diagnosis. In terms of treatment, invasive mechanical ventilation was provided, along with intermittent prone positioning ventilation, segmented alveolar lavage, and systemic corticosteroids as part of a comprehensive treatment approach. The patient’s oxygenation gradually improved, leading to stabilization, and follow-up chest CT three months later showed resolution of the lung lesions. Conclusion The diagnosis of exogenous lipoid pneumonia is based on a history of lipid exposure, chest imaging, and the presence of lipid-laden macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. However, there is currently no established treatment protocol. For critically ill patients, life support measures are crucial during the early stages or peak of the disease. Clinical trial number Not applicable. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-34731ae3e38646b7965bf810855a5cd8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2466 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pulmonary Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-34731ae3e38646b7965bf810855a5cd82025-08-20T03:37:22ZengBMCBMC Pulmonary Medicine1471-24662025-07-012511910.1186/s12890-025-03780-0Acute exogenous lipoid pneumonia leading to severe ARDS: a case reportYoudi Ye0Hui Cai1Chunfeng Dai2Qin Hu3Qiaoqiao Cao4Jing Bi5Yuanlin Song6Jinjun Jiang7Shujing Chen8Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Huangshan People’s HospitalDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityDepartment of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityDepartment of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Nantong Haimen District People’s HospitalDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityAbstract Background Exogenous lipoid pneumonia, a form of pneumonia caused by the aspiration of lipid substances, is often associated with the use of mineral oil. Historically, cases have predominantly been reported in young children, elderly, or individuals with compromised physical strength or neurological disorders, with the majority presenting as mild or chronic conditions. Upon cessation of exposure to lipids, symptoms typically showed improvement. Case presentation We report a case of a previously healthy middle-aged man who developed respiratory failure and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following the accidental aspiration of sewing machine oil, and a chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed consolidations in both lungs, with local attenuation visible in the mediastinal window. Lipid vacuoles were observed in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and Oil Red O staining was positive, confirming the diagnosis. In terms of treatment, invasive mechanical ventilation was provided, along with intermittent prone positioning ventilation, segmented alveolar lavage, and systemic corticosteroids as part of a comprehensive treatment approach. The patient’s oxygenation gradually improved, leading to stabilization, and follow-up chest CT three months later showed resolution of the lung lesions. Conclusion The diagnosis of exogenous lipoid pneumonia is based on a history of lipid exposure, chest imaging, and the presence of lipid-laden macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. However, there is currently no established treatment protocol. For critically ill patients, life support measures are crucial during the early stages or peak of the disease. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-025-03780-0Exogenous lipoid pneumoniaAcute respiratory distress syndromeBronchoalveolar lavageMechanical ventilationProne position ventilation |
| spellingShingle | Youdi Ye Hui Cai Chunfeng Dai Qin Hu Qiaoqiao Cao Jing Bi Yuanlin Song Jinjun Jiang Shujing Chen Acute exogenous lipoid pneumonia leading to severe ARDS: a case report BMC Pulmonary Medicine Exogenous lipoid pneumonia Acute respiratory distress syndrome Bronchoalveolar lavage Mechanical ventilation Prone position ventilation |
| title | Acute exogenous lipoid pneumonia leading to severe ARDS: a case report |
| title_full | Acute exogenous lipoid pneumonia leading to severe ARDS: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Acute exogenous lipoid pneumonia leading to severe ARDS: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Acute exogenous lipoid pneumonia leading to severe ARDS: a case report |
| title_short | Acute exogenous lipoid pneumonia leading to severe ARDS: a case report |
| title_sort | acute exogenous lipoid pneumonia leading to severe ards a case report |
| topic | Exogenous lipoid pneumonia Acute respiratory distress syndrome Bronchoalveolar lavage Mechanical ventilation Prone position ventilation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-025-03780-0 |
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