Pneumoconiosis in a female worker exposed to a primer used in the production of non-stick pans: clinical case.

UNLABELLED: The primary prevention programmes carried out in the 1950's and 1960's in industrialized countries brought about a significant reduction in the incidence of pneumoconiosis. Nevertheless, it is still possible to diagnose new cases, perhaps in relatively unusual working activities. OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of q 2/2 pneumoconiosis associated with mixed powder containing less than 1% quartz that occurred in a 37 year-old female worker, who had been previously employed (1987-1994) in manually spraying a primer solution on the bottom of non-stick aluminium pans. METHODS: The manufacturing firm supplied details of the composition of the primer. The physiological, pathological and occupational history was obtained for the worker, who also underwent: respiratory functional exploration, chest radiographs and HRCT of the thorax, fibrobronchoscopy, with transbronchial biopsy and BAL collection. The lung tissue sample was examined via light microscopy and scanning electron microscope analysis. RESULTS: The primer contained 6.8% talc, free from asbestos or silica, 3.8% iron oxides and 0.6% bentonite which, in turn, contained less than 1% crystalline silica. The job was performed in a semi-confined environment, with an inefficient aspiration system. The worker had never complained of respiratory symptoms. Radiographs and HRCT showed widespread micronodulation. Light microscopy of pulmonary tissue showed multinucleate giant cell granulomas with intracytoplasmatic inclusions. Scanning electron microscope analysis revealed that these consisted of agglomerated particles, microanalysis of which showed the presence of a silicate. CONCLUSIONS: Particular jobs performed up to few years ago in Italy in a semi-confined environment can still involve exposure to doses of mineral dusts such as to cause pneumoconiosis. This is the first case of mixed powder pneumoconiosis described in a worker employed in the production of non-stick aluminium pans.

[Report of a case of malignant atrophic papulosis or Degos disease]. / Su un caso di papulosi atrofica maligna (P.A.M.) o malattia di Degos.

The Authors report an exceptional case of Atrophic Malignant Papulosis (P.A.M.) or Degos disease, presenting as acute abdomen with ileal and multiple colic perforations. The disease is due to an occlusive, progressive, thrombotic vascular pathology affecting different parts of the body and may bring to death. Usually this rare disease presents with typical multiple papulous skin lesions, followed by a systemic involvement of the digestive, nervous, and visive tracts. Peritonitis and cerebral infarction are the most frequent causes of death.