Granulomatous pneumonitis following exposure to the World Trade Center collapse.
We describe a 37-year-old male engineer who presented with cough and dyspnea 3 weeks after exposure to dust resulting from the collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC). Radiographs of the chest and high-resolution CT demonstrated diffuse miliary nodularity. Lung biopsy specimens confirmed the presence of diffuse, noncaseating granulomatous nodules. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive radiograph analysis revealed large quantities of silicates. Cellular immunologic studies showed normal response to beryllium, and results of Kveim testing were negative. We suspect that exposure to one or more materials resulting from the WTC catastrophe may be implicated in the development of granulomatous pulmonary disease.
Safirstein
Benjamin H
BH
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
Klukowicz
Alan
A
Miller
Richard
R
Teirstein
Alvin
A
D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015745:Granuloma, Foreign-Body / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009518:New York; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D023481:Terrorism
D000393:Air Pollutants