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Tin miners'granuloma
Author(s) -
Bowers P.W.,
Gould D.J.,
Telfer Brunton A.,
Hewitt M.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1987.tb12017.x
Subject(s) - medicine , art , university hospital , library science , art history , family medicine , computer science
Seven miners from the South Crofty and Geevor tin mines in Cornwall presented with granulomas on the dorsum of the hand following rock fall abrasions. These tended to be smooth nodules, with local dissemination only. Histologically, tuberculoid granulomas were seen, but early lesions sometimes only showed inflammatory changes. Acid‐fast bacilli were demonstrable, and cultures grew Mycobacterium marinum. Investigations at Geevor mine revealed that samples of mud and water from the Coronation Lode, where injuries had occurred, were positive for M. marinum in nine out of 11 cases. This lode is several hundred feet below the Atlantic Ocean, and the temperature and humidity are high. Similar conditions prevail at South Crofty mine, where positive samples were also found. The miners work with pneumatically‐powered drills that use high‐pressure water to cool the drill tip, creating a misting effect. Small rock falls are common, and abrasions are frequent. To our knowledge, this cause of M. marinum granuloma has not previously been reported.