A Case of Lipoid Pneumonia Induced by Aspiration of Shark Liver Oil / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

ABSTRACT

Lipoid pneumonia, a rare disease entity, results from accumulation of lipids in the alveoli. It results from the aspiration of vegetable, animal oil or mineral oil. Squalene is a derivative of shark liver oil that is taken as a traditional remedy in some Asian counties and is used widely also in cosmetics. Although many cases with predisposing factors have been reported, lipoid pneumonia can occur in normal individuals without predisposing factors. A 2-year-old boy was admitted to the hospital with a history of fever and cough for during 2 weeks. On physical examination, his lung sound was decreased in the right lung field. He was found to have infiltrate in the right upper lobe, middle and lower lung field on a chest radiograph. His parents fed him with squalene. High resolution computed tomography scan of the chest showed 'Crazy-paving appearance' in the right upper, middle and lower lobes. Lipoid pneumonia is suggested when there is a history of oil- or lipid- based product use or consumption. The characteristic finding of lipid materials, 'Crazy-paving appearance' in chest Computed Tomography (CT) or chest Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI), may be useful in the diagnosis of lipoid pneumonia. We report the case of lipoid pneumonia of a 2-year-old healthy child with a history of squalene.