An unusual finding in gastroesophageal surgery: gastric anthracosis.

We present the case of a patient with an unusual finding of gastric anthracosis during oncological surgery for gastric adenocarcinoma.

Anthracofibrotic Lymph Node of Neck Mimicking Metastatic Malignant Melanoma in a Patient With Gastric Cancer.

Extrathoracic anthracofibrosis in head and neck region is of extremely rare occurrence and can be confused with malignancy. In this article, we report an unusual case of an anthracofibrotic lymph node of neck that was mistaken for metastatic malignant melanoma in a gastric cancer patient. Because the incidence of an anthracofibrotic lymph node of the neck is very low, it is important to distinguish it from other diseases, including malignancy or metastasis, especially in patients with a cancer history. Thus, pathological diagnosis of anthracofibrosis is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis and find appropriate treatment.

Epicardial anthracosis in a patient undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Anthracosis is an occupational disease which is caused by long-term inhalation of coal and rock dust. We present a case of epicardial anthracosis in a patient who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery for coronary artery disease. This is the first case of anthracosis related to the heart in the literature to the best of our knowledge. This case report emphasizes the systemic dissemination of inorganic particles such as carbon in the human body.

Continued increase in lung transplantation for coal workers' pneumoconiosis in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Severe coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) is increasingly common, and sometimes requires lung transplantation. METHODS: Using Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data, we updated the trend for CWP-related lung transplants, described CWP patients who have been waitlisted but not transplanted, and characterized the primary payer of medical costs for CWP-related and other occupational lung disease transplants. RESULTS: There have been at least 62 CWP-related lung transplants; 49 (79%) occurred in the last decade. The rate of these procedures has also increased. Twenty-seven patients were waitlisted but did not receive a transplant. Compared to other occupational lung diseases, transplants for CWP were more likely to be paid for by public insurance. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the frequency and rate of lung transplantation for CWP is consistent with the rising prevalence of severe CWP among U.S. coal miners. Effective exposure controls and identification of early stage CWP remain essential for protecting these workers.

Lung transplantation is increasingly common among patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) in U.S. coal miners has increased, and severe presentations are increasingly common. METHODS: We describe trends in lung transplantation during 1996-2014 for recipients with a primary diagnosis of CWP or pneumoconiosis unspecified, and we summarize recipient characteristics and estimate survival. RESULTS: A total of 47 transplants were included; nearly three-quarters were performed during 2008-2014. All recipients were male, 96% were white, and the mean age was 56 years. Mean FEV1 % was 35%; mean FVC% was 53%. Mean time on a waitlist was 155 days, and 60% of transplants were bilateral. Median survival was 3.7 years. CONCLUSIONS: These transplants reflect the use of a scarce resource for an entirely preventable disease, and highlight the need for enhanced efforts to reduce coal mine dust exposures.

Bronchial anthracofibrosis: treatment using airway stents.

Bronchial anthracofibrosis is a rare disease characterised by chronic bronchial inflammation, with bronchoscopic findings showing dark anthracotic pigmentation on the bronchial mucosa in conjunction with bronchial narrowing or obliteration which causes stenosis of the airways. We describe our experience in two patients with severe bronchial anthracofibrosis and discuss a novel treatment of the stenotic bronchi using endobronchial stents.