Pneumoconioses Flashcards
What type of disease are the pneumoconioses?
They are restrictive lung diseases
How do the pneumoconioses arise?
chronic occupational exposure to small particles that are fibrogenic, resulting in interstitial fibrosis
The interstitial fibrosis is caused by alveolar macrophages engulfing the foreign particles and inducing fibrosis.
What exposure leads to Coal Workers’ pneumoconiosis?
Carbon dust
What are the pathologic findings of Coal Workers’ pneumoconiosis”
With massive exposure- diffuse fibrosis (“black lung”) and shrunken lung
coal in macrophages
Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis (Caplan Syndrome)
What is Anthracosis?
Collection of carbon laden macrophages; found in hilar lymph nodes and lungs
results from mild exposure to carbon (pollution)
Not clinically significant
What exposure leads to Silicosis?
Silica; seen in sandblasters and silica miners
What pathologic findings are seen in Silicosis?
fibrotic nodules in upper lobes of the lung
What are some associations of Silicosis?
- Increased risk TB
- Silica impairs phagolysosome formation by macrophages
What can Berylliosis be confused for?
Sarcoidosis
What exposures lead to Berylliosis?
Beryllium
seen in beryllium miners and workers in the aerospace industry
What are the pathologic findings in Berylliosis?
Noncaseating granulomas in the lung, hilar lymph nodes, and the systemic organs
What is an association with Berylliosis?
Increased risk of lung cancer
What exposure leads to Asbestosis?
Asbestos fibers
Seen in construction workers, plumbers, and shipyard workers
What are the pathologic findings of Asbestosis?
- Fibrosis of lungs and pleura (plaques)
- increased risk for lung carcinoma and mesothelioma
- lung carcinoma is more common than mesothelioma
How do you confirm exposure to Asbestos?
Asbestos bodies- long golden-brown fibers with associated iron found in the lesions seen in asbestos
