Talc lung in a drug abuser.
We report a case of intravenous talcosis in a 36 year old woman. Although she initially denied drug abuse clinical suspicion was aroused by the finding of obliterated peripheral veins, a pleural rub and a peripheral nodular lesion on chest x-ray. Diagnosis of intravenous talcosis was confirmed by finding birefringent particles on transbronchial biopsy. Confronted with this evidence the patient admitted long-standing drug abuse, including intravenous injection of crushed methadone tablets which contain talc filler.
St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin.
A D
AD
Hill
M E
ME
Toner
M X
MX
FitzGerald
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D013627:Talc / Q000009:adverse effects*
D013627:Talc