Pulmonary Foreign Body Granulomatosis in Dental Technician.
Occupational lung diseases are caused by several toxic substances including heavy metals; however, the exact pathologic mechanisms remain unknown. In the workplace, dental technicians are often exposed to heavy metals such as cobalt, nickel, or beryllium and occasionally develop occupational lung diseases. We described a case of occupational lung disease in a patient who was employed as a dental technician for over a decade. A 31-year-old, non-smoking woman presented with productive cough and shortness of breath of several weeks duration. Chest computed tomography revealed a large number of scattered, bilateral small pulmonary nodules throughout the lung field, and multiple mediastinal lymph nodes enlargement. Percutaneous needle biopsy showed multifocal small granulomas with foreign body type giant cells suggestive of heavy metals inhalation. The patient's condition improved on simple avoidance strategy for several months. This case highlighted the importance of proper workplace safety.
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Sung Jun
SJ
Chung
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Gun Woo
GW
Koo
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Dong Won
DW
Park
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hyun Jung
HJ
Kwak
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Ji Young
JY
Yhi
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Ji-Yong
JY
Moon
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Sang-Heon
SH
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jang Won
JW
Sohn
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Ho Joo
HJ
Yoon
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Dong Ho
DH
Shin
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Sung Soo
SS
Park
Department of Pathology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Ju Yeon
JY
Pyo
Department of Pathology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Young-Ha
YH
Oh
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Tae-Hyung
TH
Kim
Dental Technicians; Lung Disease