Lipoid pneumonia: A preventable form of drug-induced lung injury

We report a case where recurrent "pneumonia" was eventually diagnosed as lipoid pneumonia in an elderly patient with cerebrovascular disease. The discontinuation of paraffin oil laxative led to clinical improvement. Lipoid pneumonia, a foreign body-type reaction to the presence of lipid within lung parenchyma, is probably underdiagnosed and underreported, and paraffin oil laxative is the main causative agent. Paraffin oil is marketed as a food additive, and no information about its hazards is provided to clinicians or patients. We suggest that a change in paraffin oil licensing may decrease the incidence of lipoid pneumonia.