Nursing Medical News about Silicosis

Become a Member Today!
Register

Most Viewed Abstracts

1. Report Shows Shift in Starting Salaries for Physicians

2. Recommendations on the use of 18F-FDG PET in oncology

3. Use of Antiemetic Agents in Acute Gastroenteritis

4. Gene expression signatures, clinicopathological features, and individualized therapy in breast cancer

5. AHA Guidelines on Cardiac CT for Assessing Coronary Artery Disease

Your Article Summary

See Latest Articles

(Click the title below to leave the MDLinx Network and go to the Journal's Website)

A tile factory worker presenting with breathlessness and dry cough
Australian Family Physician, 10/07/09

Khajotia R et al. – This case is a pertinent reminder that ‘all that wheezes is not asthma’. Occupational exposures are particularly important in respiratory disease. Factors in assessment include: duration of exposure (eg. years, days per week), type of activity/exposure, use of personal protective equipment (particularly mask, respirators and filters) and workplace air monitoring for particulate matter. Management of chronic nodular silicosis includes changing occupation to prevent further exposure to silica dust, immunisation against influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia, and monitoring for tuberculosis (silica appears to interfere with immunity). There are no specific therapies although some studies show improved spirometry with corticosteroids. Treatment of complications such as airway obstruction, cor pulmonale and respiratory failure is also important, and lung transplant has been successful.

Exclusive Author Commentary
Rumi Khajotia, 10/11/09

Silicosis is an occupational lung disease which usually presents with reticular shadowings and small nodular lung opacities, particularly in the upper and middle lung zones. Multiple, large, calcific nodules showing the typical "egg-shell" calcification (calcification at the rim of the nodes) is a rare radiological finding. Moreover, these patients may present with multiple non-specific symptoms such as slowly progressive breathlessness and dry cough. Clinical examination in such patients may also not be indicative of a specific diagnosis. Hence, history of occupational exposure is particularly vital in arriving at an accurate diagnosis in respiratory diseases, particularly if the patient also has atypical chest radiographic findings.

<< Previous
Factors Influencing Information Seeking by Physical Therapists...

Next >>
Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Mental Disorders Among...