Squalene Aspiration Pneumonia: Thin-Section CT and Histopathologic Findings.
10.3348/jkrs.1998.38.3.453
- Author:
Jin Seong LEE
1
;
Gyungyub GONG
;
Tae Hwan LIM
Author Information
1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Asan Medical Center University of Ulsan College of Medicine.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Lung, aspiration;
Lung, consolidation;
Lung, CT;
Lung, fibrosis
- MeSH:
Biopsy;
Bronchoalveolar Lavage;
Fibrosis;
Humans;
Liver;
Lung;
Macrophages;
Pneumonia;
Pneumonia, Aspiration*;
Sharks;
Squalene*;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
- From:Journal of the Korean Radiological Society
1998;38(3):453-458
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the thin-section computed tomography (CT) findings andhistopathologic findings of squalene aspiration pneumonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thin-section CT scans wereobtained from nine patients with proven exogenous lipoid pneumonia resulting from aspiration of squalene (derivedfrom shark liver oil). The condition was diagnosed by biopsy (n=3), bronchoalveolar lavage (n=4), or sputumcytology and clinical history (n=2); a clinical history of squalene use was confirmed in all patients. Specimensof transbronchial lung biopsy were also reviewed and compared with thin-section CT findings. RESULTS: Thin-section CT findings included ground-glass attenuation (n=8), consolidations obliterating vascular marking(n=4), scattered centrilobular ground-glass attenuation (n=2), and interlobular interstitial thickening (n=6).Geographic lobular distribution with peripheral spared lobules was observed in all patients. These diseasesinvolved multiple lobes (n=5) and abnormalities were usually located in the dependent portion of the lung. Inthree cases, histopathological correlation showed that ground-glass attenuation reflected intra-alveolarinfiltration of lipid-laden macrophages with exudative fluid. Interlobular septal thickening representedhyperplasia of type II pneumonocytes with mild fibrosis. CONCLUSION: On the basis of these results, we concludedthat squalene aspiration pneumonia can be reliably diagnosed by thin-section CT findings particularly when theappropriate history is known.
