Pneumoconiosis

Question 1

define pneumoconiosis?

Answer 1

• fibrosing interstitial lung disease caused by chronic inhalation of mineral dusts.
• it is occupational
• long lag time between exposure and symptoms

Question 2

what are the types of pneumoconiosis?

Answer 2

o Simple: Coal worker’s pneumoconiosis
o Complicated: pneumoconiosis results in loss of lung function
o Asbestosis: a pneumoconiosis in which diffuse parenchymal lung fibrosis

Question 3

what minerals can cause pneumoconiosis?

Answer 3

o Coal dust
o Silica
o Asbestos

Question 4

pathophysiology of pneumoconiosis?

Answer 4

• Repeated exposure means that macrophages accumulate in the alveoli and create an immune response.

Question 5

epidemiology of pneumoconiosis?

Answer 5

• Incidence is increasing in developing countries
• Diagnosis is often 15-20 years after exposure.
• Simple pneumoconiosis is the most common presentation

Question 6

key questions to ask in a history?

Answer 6

• OCCUPATIONAL HISTORY

Question 7

what are the presenting symptoms of symptomatic pneumoconiosis?

Answer 7

o Insidious onset shortness of breath
o Dry cough
o Black sputum - coal workers pneumoconiosis
o Pleuritic chest pain - asbestos exposure

Question 8

signs of pneumoconiosis ?

Answer 8

•	Coalworker's pneumoconiosis and silicosis: 
o	Decreased breath sounds  
•	Asbestosis: 
o	End-inspiratory crepitations  
o	Clubbing

Question 9

what might a chest X-ray show in simple pneumoconiosis?

Answer 9

micronodular mottling

Question 10

what might be seen in complicated pneumoconiosis?

Answer 10

• Coal-workers pneumoconiosis: Upper zone fibrosis
• Silicosis: Eggshell calcification of hilar lymph nodes and upper lobe fibrosis.
• Asbestosis: Bilateral lower zone reticulonodular shadowing and pleural plaques

Question 11

what might a lung function test show?

Answer 11

restrictive pattern
o Normal or slightly reduced FEV1
o Reduced FVC