Silicosis

Changed by Bruno Di Muzio, 10 Apr 2020
Back to revision history

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

Silicosis is a fibrotic pneumoconiosis caused by the inhalation of fine particles of crystalline silicon dioxide (silica). Occupations such as mining, quarrying, and tunnelingtunnelling are associated with silicosis.

The disease occurs in two clinical forms that are subdivided by their temporal relationship to the exposure to silica:

  • acute silicosis: manifests as alveolar silicoproteinosis
  • classic silicosis: manifests as a chronic interstitial reticulonodular disease

The classic form is much more common than the acute form and can be classified as simple or complicated, according to the radiographic findings:

In some situations, there is a rapid progression of the disease which is sometimes termed accelerated silicosis.

Radiographic features

Acute silicosis
Plain radiograph

Radiographic findings on chest x-ray can consist of bilateral consolidation and/or ground glass-glass opacities, which tend to appear in perihilar regions.

CT

CT findings include:

  • numerous bilateral centrilobular nodular ground-glass opacities
  • multifocal patchy ground-glass opacities
  • consolidation
Classic/simple silicosis
Plain radiograph

Chest radiograph shows multiple nodular opacities:

  • well-defined and uniform in shape and attenuation
  • ranging from 1 to 10 mm in diameter
  • predominantly located in the upper lobe and posterior portion of the lung
  • calcification of nodules is seen on chest radiographs in 10-20% of patients
CT

At CT, features of simple silicosis include:

  • multiple small nodules that are upper lobe predominant and accompanied by calcifications
  • hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy: may precede the appearance of parenchymal nodular lesions
  • calcification of lymph nodes
    • common and typically occurs at the periphery of the node
    • this eggshell calcification pattern is highly suggestive of silicosis
Classic complicated silicosis
Plain radiograph

On a chest radiograph, complicated silicosis is usually indicated by large symmetric bilateral opacities that are:

  • 1 cm or more in diameter and with an irregular margin
  • commonly in the middle lung zone or peripheral one-third of the lung
  • gradually migrating toward the hilum, leaving emphysematous lung tissue between the fibrotic tissue and the pleural surface.
CT

CT features are focal soft-tissue masses, often with an irregular or ill-defined margins and calcifications, surrounded by areas of emphysematous change.

Treatment and prognosis

Treatment is to remove the exposure, although silicosis may progress despite removal from the dust environment.

In acute silicosis particularly, the clinical course is usually progressive and ends in death due to cor pulmonale and respiratory failure therapy with corticosteroids

Carcinoma and tuberculosis are potentialpotentially serious complications of silicosis.

Differential diagnosis

Possible imaging differential considerations include:

See also

  • -<p><strong>Silicosis</strong> is a fibrotic <a href="/articles/pneumoconiosis">pneumoconiosis</a> caused by the inhalation of fine particles of crystalline silicon dioxide (silica). Occupations such as mining, quarrying, and tunneling are associated with silicosis.</p><p>The disease occurs in two clinical forms that are subdivided by their temporal relationship to the exposure to silica:</p><ul>
  • +<p><strong>Silicosis</strong> is a fibrotic <a href="/articles/pneumoconiosis">pneumoconiosis</a> caused by the inhalation of fine particles of crystalline silicon dioxide (silica). Occupations such as mining, quarrying, and tunnelling are associated with silicosis.</p><p>The disease occurs in two clinical forms that are subdivided by their temporal relationship to the exposure to silica:</p><ul>
  • -</ul><p>In some situations there is rapid progression of disease which is sometimes termed <a href="/articles/accelerated-silicosis">accelerated silicosis</a>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Acute silicosis</h5><h6>Plain radiograph</h6><p>Radiographic findings on chest x-ray can consist of bilateral consolidation and/or <a href="/articles/ground-glass-opacification-3">ground glass opacities</a>, which tend to appear in perihilar regions.</p><h6>CT</h6><p>CT findings include:</p><ul>
  • +</ul><p>In some situations, there is a rapid progression of the disease which is sometimes termed <a href="/articles/accelerated-silicosis">accelerated silicosis</a>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Acute silicosis</h5><h6>Plain radiograph</h6><p>Radiographic findings on chest x-ray can consist of bilateral consolidation and/or <a href="/articles/ground-glass-opacification-3">ground-glass opacities</a>, which tend to appear in perihilar regions.</p><h6>CT</h6><p>CT findings include:</p><ul>
  • -</ul><h6>CT</h6><p>CT features are focal soft-tissue masses, often with an irregular or ill-defined margins and calcifications, surrounded by areas of emphysematous change.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Treatment is to remove the exposure, although silicosis may progress despite removal from the dust environment.</p><p>In acute silicosis particularly, the clinical course is usually progressive and ends in death due to <a href="http://www.radswiki.net/main/index.php?title=Cor_pulmonale&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1">cor pulmonale</a> and respiratory failure therapy with corticosteroids</p><p>Carcinoma and <a href="/articles/tuberculosis-pulmonary-manifestations-1">tuberculosis</a> are potential serious complications of silicosis.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>Possible imaging differential considerations include</p><ul><li>other <a href="/articles/pneumoconiosis">pneumoconioses</a> that may have a similar radiographic appearance<ul>
  • +</ul><h6>CT</h6><p>CT features are focal soft-tissue masses, often with irregular or ill-defined margins and calcifications, surrounded by areas of emphysematous change.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Treatment is to remove the exposure, although silicosis may progress despite removal from the dust environment.</p><p>In acute silicosis particularly, the clinical course is usually progressive and ends in death due to <a href="http://www.radswiki.net/main/index.php?title=Cor_pulmonale&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1">cor pulmonale</a> and respiratory failure therapy with corticosteroids</p><p>Carcinoma and <a href="/articles/tuberculosis-pulmonary-manifestations-1">tuberculosis</a> are potentially serious complications of silicosis.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>Possible imaging differential considerations include:</p><ul><li>other <a href="/articles/pneumoconiosis">pneumoconioses</a> that may have a similar radiographic appearance<ul>
Images Changes:

Image 14 X-ray (Frontal) ( create )

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads