Lipoid pneumonia : CT findings

Objective: To assess the CT findings of lipoid pneumonia. Methods: Chest radiography and CT performed in six patients with proven lipoid pneumonia were reviewed by two observers. Diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy (five cases) or bronchoalveolar lavage (one case). The clinical history of taking oily substance could be obtained retrospectively in all patients. Results: Chest radiography showed bilateral air space consolidation in three cases, irregular mass-like lesions in two, and a reticulonodular pattem in one case. Computed tomography demonstrated diffuse parenchymal consolidation in three cases, localized areas of consolidation in two, and subpleural pulmonary fibrosis in one case. In two cases, fat with localized areas of consolidation could be seen on CT. In three cases with diffuse consolidation the attenuation was decreased but higher than that of subcutaneous fat. In one case with subpleural fibrosis no areas of low attenuation could be seen on CT. Conclusion: We conclude that in patients with lipoid pneumonia CT may demonstrate areas with low attenuation diagnostic of fat or areas with nonspecific low attenuation or soft tissue density