title: Silica-induced pleural disease: an unusual case mimicking malignant mesothelioma.
abstract: A 57-year-old man with a history of exposure to silica for 32 years presented with pleural thickening of the lower lobe of the left lung and a chronic right-sided pleural effusion without any radiographic evidence of parenchymal nodules in either lung. Light microscopic examination of a left visceral pleural biopsy specimen revealed markedly thickened pleura with fibrosis and macrophages containing birefringent silica and silicates. Occasional rounded intrapleural silicotic nodules were present. The underlying lung tissue did not show fibrosis or silicotic nodules. An energy-dispersive x-ray analysis confirmed the presence of silica. In the absence of lung involvement, this case represents a very unusual pathologic reaction caused by silica and silicates and adds to the clinical differential diagnosis of chronic pleuritis and malignant mesothelioma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Cukurova University, Balcali, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Zeren
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Colby
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Roggli
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012829:Silicosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D012822:Silicon Dioxide