Pneumoconiosis Flashcards
What are the restrictive lung diseases?
IPF
EAA
Pneumoconiosis
Sarcoidosis
Goodpasture’s Syndrome
What is pneumoconiosis?
A restrictive lung disease resulting from mineral dust exposure.
What are the variants of pneumoconiosis?
If 15-20 years of exposure to asbestos, then asbestosis
if 15-20 years of coal-dust exposure then coal-workers pneumoconiosis
If 15-20 years of exposure to silica. then silicosis
What is Caplan’s syndrome?
Occupational dust exposure in those with rheumatoid arthritis.
What is the pathology behind on pneumoconiosis?
Inhaled particles are not cleared from the lungs, becoming encased by macrophages - setting off a localised immune response.
This leads to an inflammatory cascade, with fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition.
What is the clinical presentation of simple pneumoconiosis?
Asymptomatic - only discovered on CXR.
Risk of progression to complicated type.
What is the clinical presentation of complicated pneumoconiosis?
Dry cough
Progressive dyspnoea
Clubbing
Inspiratory crackles
What should asbestosis and pain make you consider?
Malignancy - asbestosis does not cause pain.
How does simple pneumoconiosis show on a CXR?
Will have non-calcified round opacities in the upper zones.
How does complicated pneumoconiosis show on a CXR?
Will have bilateral, upper-mid zone, fibrotic masses which develop from the periphery towards the hilum.
How does silicosis appear on a CXR?
Will have egg-shell calcification at the hilar nodes.
How to treat complicated pneumoconiosis?
Give bronchodilator and ICS therapy
Give oxygen if needed
Suggest pulmonary rehab
