Lipoid Pneumonia Secondary to Diesel Aspiration: An Occupational Hazard

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 16; no. 4; p. e58509
• Main Authors: Aurangabadkar, Gaurang M, Choudhary, Sumer S, Khan, Shafee M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cureus Inc 18.04.2024; Cureus
• Subjects: Automobile industry; Bronchodilators; Cellular biology; Developing countries; Environmental Health; Hydrocarbons; Lavage; LDCs; Lipids; Lungs; Medical imaging; Occupational Health; Oxygen saturation; Patients; Pneumonia; Primary care; Pulmonology; Respiratory failure; Steroids; Tomography; computed tomography; chemical pneumonitis; bronchoalveolar lavage; lipoid pneumonia; bronchoscopy
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58509

Lipoid pneumonia is defined as a type of pneumonia that occurs as a result of inhalation of either endogenous or exogenous lipid-containing products in the lungs. We present the case of a 55-year-old male patient who presented with chief complaints of cough with blood-tinged sputum, right-sided chest pain, dyspnea, and fever for two days. The patient gave a history of working as a mechanic in an automobile garage and reported an episode of accidental aspiration of diesel during diesel siphoning at the workplace. A chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest were done, which revealed right-sided lower lobe consolidation. The patient was admitted and started on intravenous antibiotics, corticosteroids, and inhaled bronchodilators, along with oxygen support. A bronchoscopy was done, which revealed the presence of thick mucoid secretions in the right lower lobe bronchus. The patient was discharged after 10 days with stable vitals and was advised to have regular follow-ups to monitor for any long-term pulmonary complications.