Systemic Mineral (Paraffin) Oil Embolism

Mineral (paraffin) oil is a chemically inert substance that has rarely been reported as an injectable agent for cosmetic purposes. We describe the pathologic findings of a fatal case of systemic mineral oil embolism in a young adult woman following a subcutaneous buttock injection. The injected oil rapidly entered the circulation, resulting in systemic embolization and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.