PULMONARY MINERAL DUST - STUDY OF 90 PATIENTS BY ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY, ELECTRON MICROANALYSIS, AND ELECTRON MICRODIFFRACTION

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  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 83  (3) , 427-456
Abstract
Ninety patients were studied. Intrapulmonary mineral deposits were characterized by electron diffraction and electron probe microanalysis. Using this method, pneumoconioses may be distinguished from other pneumopathies. In cases of pneumoconiosis, there exists a specific relationship between the etiology of the dust exposure and the crystallographic characteristics of the intrapulmonary deposits. The nature of the deposits may be indicative of a specific type of pneumoconiosis. This method is particularly useful in differentiating between asbestos bodies and ferruginous bodies. The value of the method in general and its importance in the study of pneumoconiosis are discussed.