Interstitial lung granulomas as a possible consequence of exposure to zirconium dust.
A case of interstitial lung granulomas is described in a worker exposed to zirconium compounds. Chest X-rays revealed diffuse slight reticular interstitial radio-opacities (ILO classification, 1/0 s/t). Histological examination of transbronchial biopsy tissue revealed small interstitial nonconfluent granulomas with epithelioid and giant cells showing no central necrosis, with PAS-positive diastase-resistant small weakly birefringent particles in interstitial histiocytes. These histological and stain findings, which are characteristic of zirconium skin lesions and granulomas, suggest zirconium interstitial lung disease.
Romeo
L
L
Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Verona, Ospedale Policlinico.
Cazzadori
A
A
Bontempini
L
L
Martini
S
S
D000328:Adult; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects; D006099:Granuloma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015040:Zirconium / Q000009:adverse effects*
D004391:Dust; D015040:Zirconium