title: Case series: use of induced sputum in the evaluation of occupational lung diseases.
abstract: The authors recently reported that analysis of induced sputum may reveal the status of hazardous dust exposure (e.g., silica, hard metals) as effectively as does bronchoalveolar lavage. In the current study, the authors describe how induced sputum can assist in the evaluation and diagnosis of suspected occupational lung diseases. The 3 patients who underwent induced sputum testing included a miner with silicosis, a dental technician with berylliosis, and a teacher who suffered from undefined interstitial fibrosis and in whom induced sputum analysis revealed the presence of a high burden of calcium sulfate and silica. The data reported indicate that induced sputum--a known safe and simple procedure--can serve as a useful tool in the evaluation of patients with suspected occupational lung diseases.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Ra'anana, Israel.
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lerman
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: Eliezer
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ganor
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fireman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001607:Berylliosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012829:Silicosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D013183:Sputum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology