Massive deposition of mineral oil after prolonged ingestion.

A patient in whom prolonged mineral oil (liquid paraffin) ingestion caused the deposition of this material in the small intestine, abdominal lymph nodes, the liver, spleen and lungs, is described. The results of chemical and histochemical identification of the isolated material are presented. A description of the gross and microscopic pathology is followed by a brief consideration of some aspects of the subject of mineral oil ingestion. Prolonged unrestricted ingestion of mineral oil is dangerous and may cause structural and functional abnormalities which lead to severe malnutrition and death.