Pulmonary interstitial cholesterol crystals associated with diffuse lung cysts in adult: a case report and literature review

Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Min ZhangQing-Chen Wu

Abstract

Cholesterol pneumonitis or endogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) result from the accumulation of endogenous cholesterol esters in the lungs, leading to a fibroblastic interstitial inflammatory process, and may be complicated by a secondary bacterial or fungal infection. Striking features were cholesterol clefts in the alveolar and interstitial spaces and alveolar wall-thickening with lymphocytic infiltrations, which was called pulmonary interstitial and intra-alveolar cholesterol granulomas (PICG). We report a case of pneumothorax with diffuse lung cysts and pulmonary interstitial cholesterol in a 26-year-old woman. Our case is unique because development of PICG or ELP has been observed in children, but rarely in adult. Most cases could be linked to exogenous sources like inhalation of lipid material or gastroesophageal reflex (GER). In our case, no signs of GER could be discovered. Diffuse lung cysts coexisting with pulmonary interstitial cholesterol crystals are never reported. Additionally, no multinucleated giant cells or granuloma are found pathologically, which make the diagnosis of PICG or lipoid pneumonia difficult. Pulmonary interstitial cholesterol crystals may develop gradually and evenly distributed throughout the entir...Continue Reading

References

Apr 20, 2002·Lancet·Kunihiko IkeharaYoshiaki Ishigatsubo
Apr 3, 2007·Lancet·Thomas M BerghausMartin G Schwaiblmair
Jul 16, 2008·Revista portuguesa de pneumologia·Gunther KissmannDeborah Cordeiro Lannes
Dec 24, 2009·AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology·Sonia L BetancourtJeremy J Erasmus

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 24, 2018·Ocular Oncology and Pathology·Frederick A JakobiecSuzanne K Freitag
Mar 18, 2021·Redox Biology·Kalliopi GkouskouAristides G Eliopoulos

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
biopsy

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Bacterial Pneumonia (ASM)

Bacterial pneumonia is a prevalent and costly infection that is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients of all ages. Here is the latest research.

Bacterial Pneumonia

Bacterial pneumonia is a prevalent and costly infection that is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients of all ages. Here is the latest research.

Atherosclerosis Disease Progression

Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque on artery walls, causing stenosis which can eventually lead to clinically apparent cardiovascular disease. Find the latest research on atherosclerosis disease progression here.