Exogenous chronic lipoid pneumonia: a case report

We present the case of a 75-year-old manwho suffered from a post-stroke dysphagia and a long term history of exposure to paraffin oilforchronicconstipation. At the chest computed tomography scan two pulmonary masses were detected, in the lower left lobe and in the middle lobe, respectively. Diffuse and bilateral ground-glass nodules were also described. A transbronchial biopsy and a bronchoalveolar lavage were performed. The histopathological examination showed the accumulation of lipoid material and macrophages with foamy and vacuolated cytoplasm surrounded by inflammatory cell infiltration and a mild fibrosis. The diagnosis of a exogenous chronic lipoid pneumonia was formulated. Reporting this case, we would like to alert the clinicians to be aware of this entity that can mimic other pathological conditions.