Guide_to_Diseases

Abstract We defined mixed-dust pneumoconiosis (MDP) pathologically as a pneumoconiosis showing dust macules or mixed-dust fibrotic nodules (MDF), with or without silicotic nodules (SN), in an individual with a history of exposure to mixed dust. We defined the latter arbitrarily as a mixture of crystalline silica and nonfibrous silicates. According to our definition of MDP, therefore, MDF should outnumber SN in the lung to make a pathologic diagnosis of MDP. In the absence of confirmation of exposure, mineralogic analyses can be used to support the pathologic diagnosis. The clinical diagnosis of MDP requires the exclusion of other well-defined pneumoconioses, including asbestosis, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, hematite miners' pneumoconiosis, welders' pneumoconiosis, berylliosis, hard metal disease, silicate pneumoconiosis, diatomaceous earth pneumoconiosis, carborundum pneumoconiosis, and corundum pneumoconiosis. Typical occupations associated with the diagnosis of MDP include metal miners, quarry workers, foundry workers, pottery and ceramics workers, and stonemasons. Irregular opacities are the major radiographic findings in MDP (ILO 1980), in contrast to silicosis, in which small rounded opacities predominate. Clinical symptoms of MDP are nonspecific. MDP must be distinguished from a variety of nonoccupational interstitial pulmonary disorders Causes of Pneumoconiosis: Online Medical Books 16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Pneumoconiosis. Coal worker's pneumoconiosis: Causes and incidence (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)) CWP is caused by the inhalation and prolonged retention of respirable coal dust particles (less than 5 microns in diameter). Simple CWP results in the formation of macules (accumulations of macrophages laden with coal dust) around the terminal and respiratory bronchioles, surrounded by a halo of dilated alveoli. Macule formation leads to atrophy of supporting tissue, causing permanent dilation of small airways (focal emphysema). Simple disease may progress to complicated CWP, involving one or both lungs. In this form of the disease, fibrous tissue masses enlarge and coalesce, causing gross distortion of pulmonary structures (destruction of vasculature alveoli and airways). The incidence of CWP is highest among anthracite coal miners in the eastern United States. » READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE » Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005 Coal worker's pneumoconiosis: Causes (Handbook of Diseases) CWP is caused by the inhalation and prolonged retention of respirable coal dust particles (less than 5 microns in diameter). Simple CWP results in the formation of macules (accumulations of macrophages laden with coal dust) around the terminal and respiratory bronchioles, surrounded by a halo of dilated alveoli. Macule formation leads to atrophy of supporting tissue, causing permanent dilation of small airways (focal emphysema). Simple CWP may progress to the more complicated form if the disease involves a lung. If this happens, fibrous tissue masses enlarge and coalesce, causing gross distortion of pulmonary structures (destruction of vasculature, alveoli, and airways).