Unexpected case of accelerated silicosis in a female quarry worker.
Occup Med (Lond)
; 72(6): 420-423, 2022 08 16.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35468208
ABSTRACT
Silicosis is a progressive and irreversible fibrotic occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of respirable crystalline silica (RCS). Recently, outbreaks have been reported in industries involving direct work with high silica-containing materials, such as artificial stone. Here, we describe an unexpected diagnosis made in an asymptomatic 33-year-old female worker employed for 4 years at a quarry for rhyodacite and rhyolite which contain 70% silicon dioxide. Chest computed tomography demonstrated small nodules in the upper lobes and larger ill-defined areas of opacity. Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed fine birefringent material within the cytoplasm of alveolar macrophages, representing silica. Transbronchial biopsies of lung parenchyma and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration of mediastinal lymph nodes did not reveal features of sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, or malignancy. As such, a diagnosis of accelerated silicosis was confirmed and represents the first reported case in a female worker at a rhyodacite and rhyolite quarry.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Asunto principal:
Silicosis
/
Exposición Profesional
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
Límite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Occup Med (Lond)
Asunto de la revista:
MEDICINA OCUPACIONAL
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Australia