Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis

Question 1

What is Pneumoconiosis?

Answer 1

Occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of dust

Question 2

What is coal workers pneumoconiosis?

Answer 2

Occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of coal dust

Question 3

Describe the pathogenesis of coal workers pneumoconiosis?

Answer 3

Coal dust enters the lungs which cannot be removed or destroyed
It is ingested by macrophages and causes the macrophages to release inflammatory mediators
Causes inflammation and fibrosis

Question 4

General symptoms?

Answer 4

Chronic Cough

Shortness of Breath

Question 5

What are the two types of Coal Worker’s Pneumoconiosis?

Answer 5

Simple and Progressive Massive Fibrosis

Question 6

Describe Simple?
CXR?
Symptoms?

Answer 6

The disease in it’s early form
Presents as small rounded opacities in upper lungs
Shortness of breath and chronic cough

Question 7

Describe progressive massive fibrosis?
CXR
Symptoms

Answer 7

Progresses into massive fibrosis is exposure is continued for a long time
Very large, nodular, fibrinotic masses in the upper lungs
Shortness of breath, chronic cough, Black sputum, lung dysfunction

Question 8

If associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis, what is this called?

Answer 8

Caplan’s Syndrome

Question 9

Describe exposure?

Answer 9

Occurs 10-20 years after exposure

Massive fibrosis continues even after cessation of exposure