A Case Report of Nonfibrinogenic Pneumoconiosis: Siderosis
Zeynep Dogrul1, Meral Turk1, Seher Kurtul1, Recep Savas21Department of Public Health, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey, 2Department of Radiology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
Siderosis is a disease caused by the accumulation of nonfibrous iron oxide particles in the lung parenchyma. It can occur due to iron oxide exposure in workers employed in many industries, but is particularly evident in the mining, welding, and casting trades. The patient was a 42-year-old male who had been working in a casting factory for 19 years grinding ferrous metals. He presented with complaints of a cough and phlegm persisting for a year. He had a 19 pack/year smoking history. No pathological findings were observed in a respiratory system examination. We found no abnormality in a respiratory function test or a carbon monoxide diffusion test. A high resolution computed tomography image revealed bilateral, multiple, milimetric, ground-glass nodules. There was no growth in a sputum mycobacterium tuberculosis culture. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy indicated no pathological finding and bronchoalveolar lavage cytology was benign. Rheumatological markers were negative. Based on his occupational history and radiological findings, the diagnosis was siderosis. Siderosis has generally been considered a benign pneumoconiosis, since there is no fibrosis. There is no correlation between the clinical and radiological findings. Depending on the workplace environment, people who have been exposed to iron dust and fumes may also be exposed to other silicates, especially silica and asbestos. In this case, a mixed-type pneumoconiosis can occur. The present patient was also exposed to silica dust because of his work history in the metal grinding business, and he is in follow-up to monitor for siderosilicosis development.
Cite This Article
Dogrul Z, Turk M, Kurtul S, Savas R. A Case Report of Nonfibrinogenic Pneumoconiosis: Siderosis. EJMI. 2017; 1(1): 19-21
Corresponding Author: Zeynep Dogrul