Pneumonitis secondary to silicone lung embolism in transgender women living with HIV
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59471/ijhsc2022112Keywords:
HIV, lung diseases, interstitial, dimethylpolysiloxane, silicones, pulmonary embolismAbstract
Dimethylpolysiloxane (silicone) has been widely used in the last decades in soft tissue augmentation procedures. In Argentina, approximately 54% of transgender people had liquid silicone or industrial oil injection and 91% of them where applied outside the health system. Silicone particles may migrate into lung vessels generating a syndrome similar to fat embolism, usually starting within 72 hours following silicone injection, although it has been described months to years after. We hereby present two cases of pneumonitis secondary to silicone lung embolism in transgender women living with HIV. Both patients were diagnosed through CT scan and bronchoalveolar lavage, and received supportive therapy with favorable outcome. Silicone lung embolism should be included as a differential diagnosis of pneumonitis, especially in transgender population.
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