Pneumoconiosis in the practice of the attending physician

Pneumoconiosis is an occupational disease of the lungs, which is often found in physician's general practice. Differential diagnosis of various forms of pneumoconiosis is sometimes difficult due to the similarity of their clinical symptoms and X-ray pictures with disseminated processes of different etiology. Pneumoconiosis presented a large group of diseases and classified as fibrotic and non-fibrotic. The most common forms of fibrous types are dust exposure, containing in its composition of silicon dioxide (silicosis, anthracosilicosis, asbestosis), as well as certain types of toxic and allergenic dust -berylliosis actions that can lead to death. The characteristic X-ray and CT signs of fibrotic pneumoconiosis are small reticular nodules scattered along the lymphatic and blood vessels, often with calcification. Magnetic resonance imaging can help the physician in the differential diagnosis of pneumoconiosis and lung cancer. Histological examination is necessary to detect markers of silicosis (silicotic bundle) and asbestosis (asbestos bodies) that serves as the basis for the diagnosis of pneumoconiosis. Identification of interstitial pneumonia and giant cells in heavy metal dust exposure indicates a metalloconiosis. Signs of berylliosis CT are similar to those of sarcoidosis, but the totality of the clinical and pathological features allows us to differentiate these diseases. Timely diagnosis, the decision of expert questions and pathogenetic treatment will help to keep disabled patient.

pneumoconiosis, clinical and radiographic forms, diagnosis, examination of disability