1/17. Accelerated silicosis with mixed-dust pneumoconiosis in a hard-metal grinder.We describe a fatal case of accelerated silicosis with a component of mixed-dust pneumoconiosis in a young hard-metal grinder that we believe is the first case of its kind in israel and one of the rare cases reported worldwide. The patient's diagnosis was based on typical features: restrictive lung function, abnormal chest roentgenogram suggesting lung fibrosis, a history of exposure to silica and hard metals, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid findings, and mineralogical studies. BAL cells showed an abundance of giant multinucleated macrophages. The CD4/CD8 ratio of T lymphocytes was 1.1, with a high percentage of CD8 and CD8/38 positive cells (37% suppressor/cytotoxic and 12% cytotoxic T lymphocytes, respectively). mRNA transcripts isolated from BAL cells were positive for interleukin-1 (IL-1) and transforming growth factor (TGF) Il-5, IL-2, and IL-10 but not for IL-6, IL-4, and interferon. Polarizing light microscopic studies of BAL and induced sputum cells showed polarizing particles, which are typical for silica. Mineralogical studies of electron microscopy performed on BAL fluid and on dust collected at the patient's workstation revealed silica particles as well as aluminum-titanium and other particles. The latter might have contributed to the patient's lung disease.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = silicosis (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/17. silicosis and tuberculosis: Part 2--a radiographic presentation of nodular tuberculosis and silicosis.Indolent nodular pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in workers exposed to silica dust may go undetected clinically and radiographically, especially in the absence of identification of tubercle bacilli in sputum. Illustrative cases demonstrating the radiographic manifestations of coexistent pulmonary silicosis and the indolent form of nodular TB are presented. Alterations in the usual chronologic progress, a rapid advance in nodular profusion or size outside the expected time frame, and distinct pattern alterations are features indicating the presence of TB associated with silicosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.2keywords = silicosis (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/17. Silica and trichloroethylene-induced progressive systemic sclerosis.Several environmental factors and chemicals have been described as being able to induce systemic scleroderma and scleroderma-like diseases. The present work reports 2 male patients with progressive systemic sclerosis and pulmonary silicosis. Both patients had occupational histories of exposure to silica and one of them of handling trichloroethylene as a degreasing agent. The clinical and analytical findings could not be distinguished from those present in idiopathic systemic scleroderma with the exception of interstitial images with calcified hilar lymph nodes in the chest X-ray suggestive of pulmonary silicosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.4keywords = silicosis (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/17. Silica exposure and systemic vasculitis.Work in Department of Energy (DOE) facilities has exposed workers to multiple toxic agents leading to acute and chronic diseases. Many exposures were common to numerous work sites. Exposure to crystalline silica was primarily restricted to a few facilities. I present the case of a 63-year-old male who worked in DOE facilities for 30 years as a weapons testing technician. In addition to silica, other workplace exposures included beryllium, various solvents and heavy metals, depleted uranium, and ionizing radiation. In 1989 a painful macular skin lesion was biopsied and diagnosed as leukocytoclastic vasculitis. By 1992 he developed gross hematuria and dyspnea. blood laboratory results revealed a serum creatinine concentration of 2.1 mg/dL, ethrythrocyte sedimentation rate of 61 mm/hr, negative cANCA (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody cytoplasmic pattern), positive pANCA (ANCA perinuclear pattern), and antiglomerular basement membrane negative. Renal biopsy showed proliferative (crescentric) and necrotizing glomerulonephritis. The patient's diagnoses included microscopic polyangiitis, systemic necrotizing vasculitis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and glomerulonephritis. Environmental triggers are thought to play a role in the development of an idiopathic expression of systemic autoimmune disease. Crystalline silica exposure has been linked to rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and some of the small vessel vasculitides. DOE workers are currently able to apply for compensation under the federal Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOICP). However, the only diseases covered by EEOICP are cancers related to radiation exposure, chronic beryllium disease, and chronic silicosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.2keywords = silicosis (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/17. Two cases of hypertrophic pachymeningitis associated with myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (MPO-ANCA)-positive pulmonary silicosis in tunnel workers.Two cases of hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) associated with pulmonary silicosis in tunnel workers are described. In both cases the myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (MPO-ANCA) was positive. Two patients with pulmonary silicosis developed headache and neurological disturbance, and a diagnosis of HP was made. In both cases the serum CRP level and the MPO-ANCA titer were elevated. Corticosteroid therapy produced a rapid improvement in all the clinical and laboratory parameters. Although an association has been noted between exposure to silica dust and ANCA-associated vasculitis, particularly glomerulonephritis, central nervous system involvement is rare. However, there have been some recent reports of HP cases that were positive for ANCA, and the association between HP and vasculitis has been discussed in the medical literature. HP may be one feature of multiorgan involvement in ANCA-associated disease, and the association between silica dust exposure and HP should be considered, as with other forms of ANCA-associated vasculitis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.2keywords = silicosis (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/17. silicosis in dental laboratory technicians--five states, 1994-2000.silicosis is a debilitating, sometimes fatal, yet preventable occupational lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust. Although crystalline silica exposure and silicosis have been associated historically with work in mining, quarrying, sandblasting, masonry, founding, and ceramics, certain materials and processes used in dental laboratories also place technicians at risk for silicosis. During 1994--2000, occupational disease surveillance programs in five states identified nine confirmed cases of silicosis among persons who worked in dental laboratories; four persons resided in michigan, two in new jersey, and one each in massachusetts, new york, and ohio. This report describes three of the cases and underscores the need for employers of dental laboratory technicians to ensure appropriate control of worker exposure to crystalline silica.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.6keywords = silicosis (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/17. Acute silicoproteinosis.A case of alveolar lipoproteinosis associated with silicosis is reported. A 58-year-old man had been exposed to silica for seven years and died three years after the onset of symptoms. light microscopy of biopsy and necropsy material showed small silicotic nodules, silica particles, and alveolar lipoproteinosis, and ultrastructural studies were performed to define changes in alveolar epithelium and macrophages. The case provides a further example of alveolar lipoproteinosis developing as a response of the lung to injury by an external agent.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.2keywords = silicosis (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/17. pneumoconiosis (silicosis) in the confectionery industry.pneumoconiosis is not reported in food industry workers, and more specifically in the confectionery industry. We diagnosed diffuse pulmonary interstitial nodular fibrosis due to inhalation of powder containing quartz in a 54 year-old asymptomatic woman. silicosis was due to a 5-year period of talc dust exposure 35 years earlier in the confectionery industry. The diagnosis was supported by a history of exposure, transbronchial lung biopsy specimen, 67Gallium scan, and CT scan. Our patient had an unusual history of exposure, which was not readily disclosed until the patient's memories, and after consultation with an expert in confectionery techniques, indicated she had been exposed to talc powder during her employment in the confectionery industry.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.8keywords = silicosis (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/17. Silica and glomerulonephritis: case report and review of the literature.A 54-year-old foundry worker with extensive silica exposure, but no pulmonary disease, developed the nephrotic syndrome and renal failure over a 3-month period. Renal biopsy demonstrated a proliferative glomerulonephritis; energy dispersive x-ray analysis detected silicon within the renal tubules. Measurements of respirable silica at the foundry revealed levels up to 2.5 times the current occupational standard. Similar glomerular disease has been reported in silica-exposed animals and workers with silicosis. This case suggests that clinicians should include silica exposure in the differential diagnosis of unexplained diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis, renal disease may occur without clinically evident pulmonary disease in silica exposure, and silica-induced glomerulonephritis warrants further clinical and epidemiologic research.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.2keywords = silicosis (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/17. pathology of silicon carbide pneumoconiosis.silicon carbide is a widely used synthetic abrasive manufactured by heating silica and coke in electric furnaces at 2400 degrees C. Until recently it had been considered a relatively inert dust in humans and animals. However, several roentgenologic surveys had revealed lesions similar to low-grade silicosis. A recent epidemiological study has revealed a 35% incidence of pulmonary problems. tissues from three such workers were available for light microscopy. A mixed pneumoconiosis was found, and lesions can be summarized as follows: (a) abundance of intraalveolar macrophages associated with a mixture of inhaled particles including carbon, silicon, pleomorphic crystals, silicon carbide, and ferruginous bodies showing a thin black central core; (b) nodular fibrosis, generally profuse, containing silica and ferruginous bodies and associated with large amount of carbon pigment; (c) interstitial fibrosis, less prominent than the nodular form; (d) carcinoma in two cases. We believe this pneumoconiosis is sufficiently characteristic to be recognized as a distinct entity. The Stanton hypothesis on fiber properties and carcinogenesis could be applied to silicon carbide dust. At present, it appears that the occupational hazard is limited to the manufacturing process and powdered product used in some industries.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.2keywords = silicosis (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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