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 di...

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Published in:Tuberculosis and respiratory diseases 2015, 78(4), 363, pp.445-449
Main Authors: Chung, Sung Jun, Koo, Gun Woo, Park, Dong Won, Kwak, Hyun Jung, Yhi, Ji Young, Moon, Ji-Yong, Kim, Sang-Heon, Sohn, Jang Won, Yoon, Ho Joo, Shin, Dong Ho, Park, Sung Soo, Pyo, Ju Yeon, Oh, Young-Ha, Kim, Tae-Hyung
Format: Article
Language:English
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Case Report
내과학
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1738-3536
2005-6184
DOI:10.4046/trd.2015.78.4.445