Lipoid pneumonitis in a patient with an accidental ingestion of kerosene successfully treated with bronchoscopic segmental lavage and systemic steroid: Case report

RATIONALE: Standard treatment of lipoid pneumonitis remains unclear. This study reports a case of kerosene pneumonitis successfully treated with systemic steroid and segmental bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). PATIENT CONCERNS: A 30-year-old woman referred to our hospital because of worsening of respiratory symptoms and fever despite antibiotic therapy following accidental ingestion of kerosene. She had no underlying disease. DIAGNOSES: Chest CT scan showed necrotic consolidation, ground glass opacity (GGO), bronchial wall thickening in the right middle/lower lobe (RML/RLL) and right pleural effusion. The lipoid pneumonitis was confirmed by identification of a lipid laden macrophage in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated with systemic corticosteroid and segmental BAL. OUTCOMES: The patient's symptoms rapidly improved after treatment and she was discharged one week after admission. A follow-up CT scan a week after discharge revealed marked resolution of consolidation. No recurrence was reported for 8 months. LESSONS: This is the first case of kerosene pneumonitis successfully treated with systemic steroid and bronchoscopic segmental lavage therapy in Korea. Very few cases have been reported worldwide.