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Granulomatous lung disease in two workers making light bulbs
Author(s) -
Ronsmans Steven,
Verbeken Eric K,
Adams Els,
Keirsbilck Stephan,
Yserbyt Jonas,
Wuyts Wim A,
Swennen Rudy,
Hoet Peter HM,
Nemery Benoit
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.23030
Subject(s) - sarcoidosis , medicine , occupational lung disease , silicosis , lung , granulomatous disease , disease , occupational disease , pathology , lung cancer , granulomatous inflammation , dermatology
Abstract Background Associations between sarcoidosis or sarcoid‐like granulomatous lung disease and exposure to silica and other inorganic agents have been suggested in several studies. Cases We describe granulomatous lung disease in two workers of a small production unit making metal‐halide lamps. Initially, both were diagnosed with sarcoidosis. However, in both men, birefringent particles were observed in the lung or mediastinal lymph node biopsies. Clipping of glass tubes led to moderate exposure to dust, consisting mainly of amorphous fused silica, with some cristobalite. After removal from exposure, both subjects improved clinically, radiologically, and functionally. Conclusion The present cases support the hypothesis that silica might be a trigger for sarcoid‐like granulomatous lung disease. Sarcoidosis should be considered a diagnosis of exclusion and clinicians should carefully collect occupational and environmental exposure histories to identify workplace triggers.