Pneumoconiosis Flashcards Preview

Respiratory: Interstitial lung diseases > Pneumoconiosis > Flashcards

Flashcards in Pneumoconiosis Deck (15)
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1
Q

what is coal workers pneumoconiosis

A

a restrictive, occupational disease which leads to granulomatous and fibrous changes in the lung

The scarring acts like a tumour and progresses the destroying of the lung

2
Q

what causes the granulomatous and fibrotic changes in the lung

A

dust particles typically 2-5 micrometers in diameter retained in the small airways and alveoli

3
Q

what is the most common form of pneumoconiosis

A

simple pneumonconiosis

4
Q

what does simple pneumoconiosis refer to?

A

deposition of coal dust in the lungs

5
Q

symptoms of simple pneumoconiosis

A

usually COPD related but predominantly they are asymptomatic

There is not much change in respiratory function

6
Q

how is simple pneumoconiosis diagnosed?

A

CXR abnormality only - it shows micro-nodular function

7
Q

what happens in complicated pneumoconiosis?

A

round fibrotic masses, several cm in diameter develop in upper lobes

They have necrotic centres

8
Q

what do the upper lobe fibrotic masses lead to ?

A

apical destruction of the lungs

9
Q

what do people with complicated pneumoconiosis have an increased risk of?

A

infection

10
Q

what is the pattern with breathlessness in C pneumoconiosis?

A

restrictive pattern

11
Q

what are the causes of pneumoconiosis?

A

inhalation and retention of coal dust

12
Q

what are the signs

A
  • finger clubbing

- no cough or dyspnoea

13
Q

what investigations should be done with pneumoconiosis?

A
  • CXR - upper lobe reticular shadowing/fibrosis

- lung function test- not impaired function

14
Q

what is the treatment?

A

palliative

15
Q

what is caplan’s syndrome?

A

also known as rheumatoid pneumoconiosis, is the combination of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and a characteristic pattern of fibrosis. Although first described in coal miners (coal workers’ pneumoconiosis), it has subsequently been found in patients with a variety of pneumoconiosis.