Lipoid pneumonia: An occupational hazard of fire eaters

Abstract

A severe case of pneumonia caused by inhalation of liquid paraffins in a fire eating woman is reported. Inhalation or aspiration of paraffin produces two types of lesion: one is acute with pneumonia caused by massive administration into the lungs, and one is chronic with fibrosis and granulomatous reaction. The case described shows the acute form, which seems to be rare but easily diagnosed. The chronic type is seen in patients who use paraffins as purgatives or as nose drops. That reaction is caused by repeated aspiration or inhalation of small amounts of paraffin, is more difficult to diagnose, and should be remembered when a patient presents with unspecific nodular pulmonary changes on chest x ray examination.