DIFFUSE FORM OF PULMONARY SILICOSIS IN FOUNDRY WORKERS

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 100  (10) , 535-538
Abstract
Pulmonary silicosis usually is characterized by typical hyalinized, concentric nodules as seen under the microscope and in the corresponding roentgenogram. In the case of 3 foundry workers, lung biopsy specimens contained no nodules. The chest roentgenograms were not suggestive of silicosis. Examination of the biopsy tissues by scanning EM and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) revealed significant (P < .05) amounts of Si in the thickened fibrous tissues of septa, pleura and around blood vessels, enough to permit the diagnosis of silicosis. All 3 patients had severe functional impairment. It is not clear at this time what factors were responsible for a diffuse distribution of Si in these cases.

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