Lipoid pneumonia complicating megaesophagus secondary to Chagas disease: high-resolution computed tomography findings.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in patients with exogenous lipoid pneumonia after mineral oil aspiration, in association with chagasic megaesophagus.

Materials And Methods: The study included 6 patients aged from 63 to 88 years (mean age, 74.5 y). The inclusion criteria were an abnormal HRCT, a history of aspirating mineral oil, the presence of intrapulmonary lipids in bronchoalveolar lavage, and the presence of megaesophagus with a diagnosis of Chagas disease.

Results: Primary HRCT findings included airspace consolidation with air bronchograms (n=4) and a crazy-paving pattern (n=2), predominating bilaterally in the posterior and lower regions of the lungs and associated with esophageal dilatation.

Conclusions: The diagnosis of lipoid pneumonia should be considered in chagasic patients with megaesophagus and a history of aspirating mineral oil, presenting with parenchymal consolidations or crazy-paving pattern in HRCT.