Pneumoconioses: Berylliosis Flashcards
What is berylliosis?
Due to beryllium exposure, (inhalation of its dusts/vapours) in aerospace
From manufacturing industries like
Nuclear reactors
Beryllium miners
What is the pathophysiology of berylliosis?
- Acute exposure: causes acute pneumonitis
- Chronic exposure: Non-caseating granulomas in lung
- Hilar lymph node granulomas incl.
- Systemic granulomas
Similar to sarcoidosis but this is driven by beryllium
- Differentiate if they say patient works in NASA or developed some airspace thing etc
What lobes do berylliosis affect?
UPPER
Berylliosis signs/symptoms
Chronic berylliosis causes - Progressive dyspnoea,
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
CXR:
- Nodular opacities in the mid and upper lung zones
CT:
- Ground glass opacities
How is berylliosis diagnosed?
History of exposure
Appropriate clinical manifestations
beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test, and biopsy. Treatment is with corticosteroids.
Berylliosis treatment
Corticosteroids
In acute beryllium disease, sometimes mechanical ventilation
In chronic beryllium disease, sometimes
- supplemental oxygen,
- treatment for right ventricular failure
In end-stage chronic beryllium disease,
- Lung transplantation
What does berylliosis increase the risk for?
Lung cancer
Cor pulmonale
