title: [Hard metal interstitial lung disease].
abstract: Hard metal lung disease is an unusual disease which can occur in individuals exposed to hard metals. Clinically, the condition resembles hypersensitivity pneumonitis depending mainly on individual susceptibility, which eventually progresses to pulmonary fibrosis. We present two patients with pulmonary fibrosis, who were actually diagnosed after an exhaustive anamnesis and examination of the tissue by scanning microscope to discard hard metals. The evaluation of wedge biopsies by scanning electronic microscope can be very helpful in those cases without a specific diagnosis.
authors: Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España. mamontero@vhebron.net
authors: M Angeles
authors: MA
authors: Montero
authors: Javier
authors: J
authors: de Gracia
authors: Ferràn
authors: F
authors: Morell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000497:Alloys / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003035:Cobalt / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014414:Tungsten / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; C080121:hard metal; D003035:Cobalt; D014414:Tungsten