Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

Walking pneumonia

A 78-year-old man with a history of alcoholism presented with a 2 week history of “walking pneumonia” which had progressively worsened. BP was 152/85, temperature was 38.2, and he was dyspneic. Focal mass-like opacities were seen in the lower lobes. A CT was done and tissue attenuation was measured and found to be consistent with mineral oil. The image below is of an Oil Red O stain of bronchiolar washings.

The underlying condition which led to the events causing his pneumonia was MOST likely:

1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
2. Atrophic gastritis
3. Constipation
4. Enteritis
4. Diverticulitis

ANSWER

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Pathology questions by Dr Patsy Lill