Restrictive Part 4: Pneumoconiosis Flashcards
How do we best characterize pneumoconiosis?
Interstitial fibrosis due to occupational exposure of small particles that are fibrogenic.
What is the MOA of the disease?
Macrophages eat this crap up and induce fibrosis.
What do the size of the particles need to be to get stuck in the upper respiratory tract, mid and alveoli?
5-10 microns, 3-5 microns and 1-3 microns.
Why are smaller particles causing more severe problems?
Because they reach the alveoli
What risk factor was mentioned that impairs ciliary clearance of these particles?
Smoking
What are the 4 types of pneumoconiosis she wants us to know?
Coal, silica, beryllium, and asbestos
What are the pathologic findings for exposure to coal?
Severe exposure leads to Diffuse fibrosis called black lung. Mild exposure leads to anthracosis and coal nodules.
What is coal pneumo associated with what what syndrome do they make up?
RA. Make up a plan syndrome.
What are the pathologic findings of exposure to silica?
Fibrotic nodules in upper lobes that eventual lead to hard, collagneous scars.
What feature do we see on x ray for exposure to silica? Explain what it is.
Eggshell calcification. Calcification occurring in a lymph node. A ring of calcination surrounding a zone that isn’t calcified.
What is a patient more at risk for because of exposure to silica?
TB
What are the pathologic findings of exposure to beryllium?
Non caseating granulomas in the lung, hilar LN and systemic organs.
What is a patient at risk for because of exposure to beryllium?
Lung cancer
What are the pathologic findings after exposure to asbestos?
Fibrosis of lung and pleura with increased risk of lung carcinoma and mesothelioma, lung carcinoma being more common risk.
What are the types of asbestos fibers and which one is more dangerous and why?
Serpentine and amphibole.
Amphibole is more dangerous because its ability to reach deeper into the lungs.
