Cough with sputum and dys...

A 76-year-old female attended our pulmonology outpatient clinic with a four-week history of cough with mucous-purulent sputum and dyspnoea. The patient was a non-smoker and had worked for a few years in a cotton factory. Her past medical history was negative for any contact with substances known to be associated with lipoid pneumonia. She had not travelled recently and had no pets. She had been treated for atrial fibrillation with amiodarone (200 mg OD) for 30 years, systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II and hypothyroidism. 

Examination

Physical examination revealed a well built and nourished patient with pulse rate 69 per minute and blood pressure 110/70 mmHg. Vital signs were within normal range with SpO2 of 95% in room air. Her physical examination revealed bibasal lung crackles, but no evidence of pallor, icterus, cyanosis, clubbing or lymphadenopathy. Her blood work-up was within normal range. Pulmonary function testing demonstrated moderate restrictive lung disease and a decreased diffusion capacity.