LIPOID PNEUMONIA - CT FINDINGS

Objective: To assess the CT findings of lipoid pneumonia. Methods: Che st radiography and CT performed in six patients with proven lipoid pne umonia were reviewed by two observers. Diagnosis was confirmed by biop sy (five cases) or bronchoalveolar lavage (one case). The clinical his tory of taking oily substance could be obtained retrospectively in all patients. Results: Chest radiography showed bilateral air space conso lidation in three cases, irregular mass-like lesions in two, and a ret iculonodular pattern in one case. Computed tomography demonstrated dif fuse parenchymal consolidation in three cases, localized areas of cons olidation in two, and subpleural pulmonary fibrosis in one case. In tw o cases, fat with localized areas of consolidation could be seen on CT , In three cases with diffuse consolidation the attenuation was decrea sed but higher than that of subcutaneous fat. In one case with subpleu ral fibrosis no areas of low attenuation could be seen on CT. Conclusi on: We conclude that in patients with lipoid pneumonia CT may demonstr ate areas with low attenuation diagnostic of fat or areas with nonspec ific low attenuation or soft tissue density.