Occupational Exogenous Lipoid Pneumonia: A Commonly Delayed Diagnosis

Abstract

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia is an uncommon disease and an occupational etiology is rare. Occupational cases are usually related to aspiration of lipid substances, such as in cases of those who siphon fuel and fire-eaters. Presented here is a rare case of exogenous lipoid pneumonia in a mechanic using a grease spray for lubrication in whom diagnosis was delayed for 2 years because physicians initially neglected to consider his occupational history. Avoidance of occupational exposure to the causal agent was the main treatment and subsequent monitoring confirmed clinical and radiological improvement.

Enfermedades del intersticio pulmonar de causa laboral. (Parte I)

“…El paciente de Dhouib y cols., lubricó durante ocho años automotores con un spray oleoso y sin protección respiratoria, lo que retrasó 2 años su diagnóstico etiológico. 83 Han y cols. reportaron tres observaciones de NL provocadas por el empleo de un aerosol de parafina, cuyo diagnóstico, además de la biopsia, fue confirmado mediante el estudio de las muestras por difracción de rayos X.…”