Kerosene Oil Pneumonitis

Radiographic abnormalities in the lungs are very common in an individual positive for HIV antibodies. Majority of lesions are of infective or neoplastic in origin. We present a case of chemical pneumonitis following regurgitation of kerosene oil in a patient positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies. Chemical pneumonitis is diagnosed with a characteristic clinical history of regurgitation of fluid and gravity-dependent infiltration in the lung on chest x-ray. Another condition arising from the aspiration of the fluid/chemical is negative-pressure pulmonary oedema which results from laryngeal spasm following regurgitation of fluid. Chest radiography, however, distinguishes it from chemical pneumonitis. Bilateral infiltration is seen in the former, while lesion at dependent portion of right lung is seen in the latter condition.