Features of lipoid pneumonia:
(1) chronic nonspecific respiratory symptoms without fever
(2) pulmonary infiltrate which may be focal or diffuse
(3) presence of numerous intra-alveolar lipid-laden macrophages in a lung biopsy or BAL, with a positive lipid stain (oil red O)
(4) exclusion of other causes for a pulmonary infiltrate
Sources of oily material include:
(1) oil pulling (gargling with oil as a complementary therapy)
(2) nasal drops
(3) occupational exposure to paraffin aerosol
(4) fire eater
(5) vaping (electronic cigarette) of an oil
(6) recurrent aspiration
(7) laxative use
(8) endogenous source (obstructive pneumonia, chyle, etc)
