A dental technician with pulmonary fibrosis: a case of chromium-cobalt alloy pneumoconiosis?
A 45 yr old male developed pulmonary fibrosis after 29 yrs of employment as a dental technician. He subsequently developed adenocarcinoma of the lung. Diffuse interstitial fibrosis was seen using light microscopy. Neutron activation analysis of non-neoplastic lung tissue demonstrated high levels of chromium and cobalt suggesting the possibility of a chromium-cobalt alloy pneumoconiosis.
Sherson
D
D
Dept of Occupational Medicine, Vejle County Hospital, Denmark.
Maltbaek
N
N
Heydorn
K
K
D001706:Biopsy; D002858:Chromium Alloys / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D003800:Dental Technicians; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology*
D002858:Chromium Alloys