Lymphocytic alveolitis in a crematorium worker.
An asymptomatic cremator was found incidentally to have lymphocytic alveolitis by bronchoalveolar lavage, and the basis for this finding was investigated. No known causes of lymphocyte alveolitis including sarcoidosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, berylliosis, tuberculosis, or fungal diseases of the lung were found. By exclusion, therefore, exposure to formaldehyde and/or to compounds in the residual ash likely were etiologic in the development of the lymphocytic alveolitis.
Schauble
T L
TL
Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-4984.
Rich
E A
EA
D000328:Adult; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002452:Cell Count; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000473:pathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008903:Minerals / Q000009:adverse effects; D009027:Mortuary Practice; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000473:pathology*
D008903:Minerals; D005557:Formaldehyde; C028705:bone ash