title: Chest wall shrapnel-induced beryllium-sensitization and associated pulmonary disease.
abstract: Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is an exposure-related granulomatous disease mimicking sarcoidosis. Beryllium exposure-associated disease occurs mainly via inhalation, but skin may also be a source of sensitization. A 65-year-old male with a history of war-related shrapnel wounds was initially diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis. Twenty years later, the possibility of a metal-related etiology for the lung disease was raised. A beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test, elemental analysis of removed shrapnel, and genetic studies were consistent with a diagnosis of CBD. This case demonstrates that retained beryllium-containing foreign bodies can be linked to a pathophysiologic response in the lung consistent with CBD.
authors: Institute of Pulmonary and Allergic Diseases, National Service for Interstitial Lung Diseases, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. fireman@tasmc.health.gov.il
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Fireman
authors: A Bar
authors: AB
authors: Shai
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Lerman
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Topilsky
authors: P D
authors: PD
authors: Blanc
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Maier
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Li
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Chandra
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Abraham
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Fomin
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Aviram
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Abraham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001607:Berylliosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D001608:Beryllium / Q000633:toxicity*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D001608:Beryllium