title: "Bright asteroids in the polar sky"-clinic-radio-pathological correlation in an unusual case of silicotuberculosis.
abstract: We present a case of acute silicosis presenting with severe breathlessness and respiratory failure. An unusual aspect in our case was the presence of acute silicosis with respiratory failure in backdrop of long-term silica exposure. The other striking aspect in this case was the demonstration of crystalline silica particles under polarizing light in bronchial lavage fluid sample and coexistence of tuberculosis with acute silicosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Santosh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rai
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Vishak
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Sanoj
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vahab
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Minal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Shrijeet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chakraborti
keywords: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; silica; silicosis; tuberculosis