Lipoid Pneumonia and Peritoneal Endometriosis: Rare Incidental Findings on Autopsy

Abstract

Lipoid pneumonia has been described in as early as 1925, by Laughlen GF, to be a rare variant of pneumonia caused by the inhalation of oil droplets. Around 50% of the patients with lipoid pneumonia are asymptomatic. Here, a case is presented where peritoneal fluid and tissue pieces from various organs of a 12-year-old female were received for examination after autopsy. There was no history of any illness before death. Cytology of fluid revealed features suggestive of endometriosis. Microscopy of lung sections revealed numerous lipid droplets in the alveoli and the interstitium along with a mild inflammatory infiltrate suggestive of lipoid pneumonia. In view of incidental findings in present case report, the occupational history or history of inhalation of oil-based medications becomes very important and should always be investigated. Also, in the absence of any symptoms peritoneal fluid needs to be studied carefully for any pathology.

Keywords

• alveolar macrophages
• lipid droplets
• peritoneal cytology