Pneumoconiosis Dr Rasha Salama Ph D Community Medicine

Pneumoconiosis Dr. Rasha Salama Ph. D Community Medicine Suez Canal University Egypt

Definition n Pneumoconiosis is a generic name covering the group of lung disorders which result from the inhalation of “inorganic dust”

Classification n Pneumoconiosis is usually divided into three groups: Major pneumoconiosis l Minor pneumoconiosis l Benign pneumoconiosis l

Major Pneumoconiosis n n Inhalation of some dusts results in “major fibrosis” of the lungs, which results in interference of lung architecture or lung function tests. As: l l Silica silicosis Asbestos asbestosis Talc talcosis Coal coal workers pneumoconiosis (anthracosis)

Minor Pneumoconiosis n Inhalation of some dusts results in “minor fibrosis” of the lungs n There is minimal fibrosis of the lungs without interference of lung architecture or lung function tests. n These dusts include: l l Clay Koalin Mica Feldspar (non-fibrous silicates)

Major pneumoconiosis and n Minor pneumoconiosis are called n “ Fibrotic Pneumoconiosis”

Benign Pneumoconiosis n There isn't any reaction in the lungs, but dust deposition casts a shadow in x-ray of the lung. There is no fibrosis and no disturbance of lung functions.

Examples of Benign Pneumoconiosis n It can result from the inhalation of: l l l n n n Iron dust sidrosis Tin dust stannosis Calcium dust chalicosis They are characterized by the presence of small rounded dense opacities on a chest film due to perivascular collections of dusts. Hilar lymph nodes may be prominent. The deposits in the lung disappear when exposure is discontinued.

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