[Cough and Exertional Dyspnoea after Oily Mentholine Inhalation]

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Toxicology
• Pathology

Background:

• Lipoid pneumonia is a rare lung disease characterized by lipid-laden macrophages in the alveoli.
• It can be exogenous, resulting from the aspiration or inhalation of lipid-containing substances, or endogenous.
• Menthol-containing products, when inhaled, have been implicated as a potential cause of exogenous lipoid pneumonia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of lipoid pneumonia secondary to menthol inhalation.
• To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, and treatment outcomes.
• To emphasize the importance of identifying inhaled exogenous lipids in cases of atypical pneumonia.

Main Methods:

• A 48-year-old male patient presented with persistent cough and dyspnea.
• Diagnostic workup included pulmonary function tests and computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest.
• Transbronchial lung biopsy was performed for histopathological examination.

Main Results:

• Pulmonary function tests revealed a mild diffusion disorder.
• CT scan showed bilateral consolidations suggestive of atypical pneumonia, predominantly in the right upper lobe.
• Histopathology of the biopsy confirmed the presence of lipid-laden macrophages, leading to a diagnosis of lipoid pneumonia.
• The patient's symptoms were attributed to the inhalation of menthol-containing substances.

Conclusions:

• Exogenous lipoid pneumonia can develop from the inhalation of menthol.
• Early diagnosis and discontinuation of the offending agent, along with appropriate medical treatment, can lead to symptom resolution.
• This case underscores the need to consider environmental and inhaled exposures in the differential diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases.