2 October 2013 - Case #287

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Case #287

Clinical history:
A 71 year old man with recent history of meningitis presented with recurrent episodes of pneumonia. High resolution CT scans showed crazy paving and tree in bud images. The patient underwent a transbronchial biopsy.

Micro images:







What is your diagnosis?

Click here for diagnosis and discussion:


Diagnosis: Aspiration with granulomatous bronchiolitis and lipoid pneumonia

Discussion:
Aspiration of particulate matter, traditionally observed at autopsy, has also been described in debilitated patients, who often have a history of recurrent pneumonia, which is often unrecognized (Am J Surg Pathol 2007;31:752, Am J Surg Pathol 2010;34:1456). It usually (88%) shows bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, often with multinucleated giant cells, acute bronchopneumonia / bronchiolitis or suppurative granulomas. Foreign material is usually but not always present (Am J Surg Pathol 2011;35:426).

The differential diagnosis of pulmonary granulomatous inflammation is broad and requires special stains, culture and clinical correlation (Ann Diagn Pathol 2003;7:127, Histopathology 2007;50:289).

Lipoid pneumonia is often an incidental postmortem finding associated with debilitating disease. The lipid may be exogenous (from nasal sprays or inhalation of other lipid containing substances) or endogenous (bronchial obstruction).


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