Kaolinosis in a cotton mill worker.
A 62-year-old white male employed for 43 years in the polishing room of a cotton textile mill was admitted to a tertiary care center with progressive dyspnea and productive cough that had not responded to therapy for tuberculosis. In spite of aggressive antibiotic therapy and respiratory support, the patient died as a consequence of respiratory failure. Small rounded and irregular opacities had been noted on the chest radiograph. Review of job-site spirometry demonstrated a worsening restrictive pattern over a 4-year period prior to his death. Additional occupational history revealed long-term exposure to kaolin in the polishing room, and pathologic examination of lung tissue confirmed extensive fibrosis and substantial quantities of kaolin. Kaolinosis is a disease typically found among individuals involved in mining or processing this material rather than in user industries. This case illustrates the importance of obtaining a complete occupational history in reaching a diagnosis. The clinicopathologic aspects of kaolinosis are also reviewed.
Levin
J L
JL
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Texas Health Center at Tyler 75710, USA.
Frank
A L
AL
Williams
M G
MG
McConnell
W
W
Suzuki
Y
Y
Dodson
R F
RF
D017809:Fatal Outcome; D003368:Gossypium; D006801:Humans; D007616:Kaolin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
D007616:Kaolin