title: Interstitial lung granulomas as a possible consequence of exposure to zirconium dust.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Verona, Ospedale Policlinico.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Romeo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cazzadori
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bontempini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martini
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D015040:Zirconium