coal workers pneumoconiosis Flashcards
1
Q
what is it?
A
‘black lungs’ disease
2
Q
what causes it?
A
inhalation of coal dust for 15-20 years. Macrophages ingest this dust and die, releasing an enzyme causing fibrosis
3
Q
what are the symptoms?
A
asymptomatic but often co exists with chronic bronchitis
4
Q
what investigations are taken place?
A
CXR
5
Q
what does the CXR look like for someone with coal workers pneumoconiosis?
A
many round opacities in the upper zone
6
Q
what’s the treatment for coal workers pneumoconiosis?
A
sometimes oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation and smoking cessation
