Pulmonary Foreign Body Granulomatosis after Cosmetic Injection

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Pathology
• Cosmetic Dermatology

Background:

• Irregular lung masses in young individuals often prompt investigation for malignancy.
• Differentiating granulomas from lung cancer can be challenging.

Observation:

• A 55-year-old woman presented with incidentally discovered lung nodules on chest radiograph.
• CT scans revealed worrisome nodules, leading to biopsy.
• Histology showed chronic inflammation with foreign body giant cells.

Findings:

• The patient had undergone recent cosmetic procedures including botox, dermal fillers, and thread lifts.
• Pulmonary foreign body granulomatosis was suspected as a complication of these procedures.
• Follow-up CT after conservative management showed stable lesions.

Implications:

• Pulmonary foreign body granulomatosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lung masses, particularly after cosmetic procedures.
• This condition can mimic primary lung cancer, necessitating thorough patient history.
• Awareness of this association can prevent unnecessary aggressive treatment for malignancy.