Abstract
A 47-year-old-man was admitted to the emergency department with dyspnea, right pleuritic pain, and high fevers for 3 days. He had a nonproductive cough that exacerbated the chest pain. A clinical examination revealed distressed and slightly tachypneic patient, with blood pressure of 110/90 mmHg, temperature of $39^{\circ}C$, pulse of 90 beats/min, respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min. A chest examination showed significantly diminished breath sounds in the right lung with dullness to percussion. Laboratory investigation demonstrated leukocytosis and a raised C-reactive protein. The results of arterial blood gas analysis revealed moderate hypoxemia. A radiograph and a CT scan of the chest showed extensive consolidation with multifocal low densities, and pleural effusion in the right lung. A diagnostic thoracentesis revealed straw-colored fluid, which was found to be a neutrophil-predominant exudate. At 7 days after admission, the clinical symptoms had not improved and the temperature was still $39^{\circ}C$ despite the aggressive therapy of community-acquired pneumonia. After comprehensive history taking, we realized then that he accidentally aspirated kerosene while siphoning from fuel tank to put into the boiler 3 days ago. Bronchoscopy with bronchial washings could be successful in establishing the diagnosis of hydrocarbon pneumonitis by demonstration of a high lipid-laden macrophage index. Thereafter, the symptoms and radiographic opacities gradually improved, and he was discharged several days later.
외인성 지방성 폐렴은 흔한 질환은 아니지만 동물성, 식물성 및 광물성 지방 물질이 원인이 될 수 있으며 발견된 예보다 훨씬 빈도가 많을 것으로 판단된다. 따라서 자세한 병력 청취로 원인 물질에 대한 노출을 우선 확인하여 지방성 폐렴을 의심하는 것이 선행되어야 한다.