Laboratory findings include nonspecific leukocytosis and hypoxemia. Lavage also reveals excess lymphocytes, from both involved and uninvolved areas. Drug-induced lung injury causes similar cytopathic changes in type II cells, but usually, neutrophilic inflammation is also present. The chest roentgenogram shows an infiltrate of variable density. A highly characteristic infiltrate has sharp edges and conforms exactly to the radiation port.
Many patients gradually improve over a few weeks.
When the disease is severe, glucocorticoid therapy is often used, with uncertain benefit. Because of fever and fear of superinfection, antibacterial therapy is often given, also with uncertain benefit. Lipoid Pneumonia Lipoid pneumonia is a noninfectious, inflammatory lung disorder caused by the aspiration of mineral oil or other oily substances. It is most common in elderly patients and others with impaired swallowing. With or without impaired swallowing, lipoid pneumonia can result from the use of petroleum jelly or other oily substances applied to the lips or nose to relieve chronic dryness.