A possible case of pneumoconiosis in a limestone quarry worker.
BACKGROUND
A 43-year-old man presented with wheeze and shortness of breath. He had an occupational history of working in a limestone quarry. Pulmonary function testing revealed a mixed obstructive/restrictive defect. Chest X-ray revealed nodular shadowing throughout both lung fields.


METHODS
Subsequent thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed and histology of the nodules revealed a foreign body granulomatous reaction with numerous fluorescent particles seen under polarized light. There was no evidence of interstitial fibrosis.


RESULTS
Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) scanning confirmed that these particles contained calcium, aluminium and silicon and had a composition consistent with limestone.


CONCLUSIONS
This case demonstrates a possible unusual reaction to inorganic dust particles without resultant fibrosis.
Regional Respiratory Centre, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast, UK.
F
F
Crummy
I
I
Carl
C H S
CH
Cameron
L G
LG
Heaney
D000328:Adult; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*
D002119:Calcium Carbonate