Occupational lung disease

Author(s):  
Paul Cullinan ◽  
Joanna Szram

Some occupational lung diseases are defined by their clinical or pathological nature (e.g. occupational asthma or mesothelioma), while others are defined by their specific etiology (e.g. silicosis, farmer’s lung). Most fall into one of three categories. The first is airways disease, including occupational asthma (induced by a workplace agent), work-exacerbated asthma (preexisting asthma provoked by one or more agents at work), and irritant-induced asthma (initiated by a single, toxic exposure to a respiratory irritant); COPD and obliterative bronchiolitis may arise from workplace exposures, and around 10% of lung cancers have an occupational etiology. The second is parenchymal diseases, incorporating the many types of pneumoconiosis, differentiated by the dust that caused them, and the many types of extrinsic allergic alveolitis (or hypersensitivity pneumonia) categorized by the occupations in which they arise. The third is pleural diseases comprising pleural plaques, diffuse pleural thickening, and mesothelioma.

2004 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Ameille ◽  
Mireille Matrat ◽  
Christophe Paris ◽  
Nathalie Joly ◽  
Claude Raffaelli ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Adam Dallmann ◽  
Richard L. Attanoos

Yellow nail syndrome is a rare acquired condition of unknown aetiology associated with distinct nail discolouration/xanthonychia, pulmonary manifestations, and lymphoedema. Pleural plaques and diffuse pleural thickening are typically, although not exclusively, recognised as markers of prior commercial asbestos exposure. The presence of such biomarkers may assist an asbestos personal injury evaluation. A postmortem examination performed on a 72-year-old man with known long-standing yellow nail syndrome identified pleural plaques and diffuse pleural thickening. An evaluation of the occupational history identified no known asbestos exposure. Electron microscopic mineral fibre analysis detected no asbestos fibres. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only case of yellow nail syndrome in which these benign pleural changes are reported ex asbestos. Alternate causes for such pleural pathology were absent. There is merit in physicians and pathologists having an awareness of these new manifestations when considering claimed asbestos related changes during life and at postmortem.


Author(s):  
Silvie Prazakova ◽  
Alessandra Sandrini ◽  
Susan Miles ◽  
Paul Thomas ◽  
Anthony Johnson ◽  
...  

Chest Imaging ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 175-179
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Walker

Pleural thickening and calcification discusses the radiographic and computed tomography (CT) manifestations of benign pleural thickening and pleural calcification. Benign pleural thickening must be differentiated from malignant pleural thickening and their differentiating characteristics will be discussed. Pleural plaque is the most common manifestation of asbestos exposure and carries no risk of malignant degeneration. The most common imaging appearance is bilateral sharply demarcated, multifocal areas of discontinuous pleural thickening that often calcifies over time. Pleural plaques spare the apical and costophrenic sulcus pleura and has a predilection for the diaphragmatic pleura. Diffuse pleural thickening is associated with hemothorax, empyema, connective tissue disorders, and asbestos exposure. It is generally unilateral, causes blunting of the costophrenic angle, spans multiple rib interspaces, and is irregular in shape. When diffuse pleural thickening calcifies and is associated with volume loss in the affected lung, it is termed fibrothorax.


1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1021-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.A. Gevenois ◽  
V. De Maertelaer ◽  
A. Madani ◽  
C. Winant ◽  
G. Sergent ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan E Miles ◽  
Alessandra Sandrini ◽  
Anthony R Johnson ◽  
Deborah H Yates

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