Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a form of interstitial fibrosis of the lung. It is an asbestos exposure related disease. Asbestosis is a type of pneumoconiosis.

Pathology

After asbestos fibers are inhaled into the alveoli, the fibers provoke the immune cells in lungs and cause inflammatory reaction. A part of this reaction is fibrogenesis in the interstitial space.

Lung biopsy, H&E stain, ferruginous bodies and interstitial fibrosis.

It seems to be histologicaly similar to the other interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, but it also contains ferruginous bodies.

Clinical notes

Patient history

Asbestosis depends on the exposure time. The disease is progressive and long involved. It can be found 20 years after exposure, when the symptoms become clear. It is very important to find out patient's exposure possibilities:

Occupational exposure

workers in the manufacture of asbestos products;
asbestos miners and millers;
construction traders;
power plant workers;
boilermakers;
shipyard workers;
firefighters.^[1]

Non-occupational exposure

Asbestos was used in building walls, for example in schools. Teachers who work in these buildings their entire professional lives could be in danger as well.^[2]

Symptoms

shortness of breath^[2] – first when walking, climbing stairs, than at rest (asbestosis is a progressive disease);
cough^[2];
low blood oxygen level^[3].

The most common complication is COPD^[2], respiratory insufficiency, pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale.

Diagnosis

physical examination, lung function tests;
X–ray;
CT or MRI;
lung biopsy;
definitive diagnosis is based on a microscopic examination of the biopsy by a pathologist!

Therapy

There is only supportive therapy of progressive respiratory failure:

treatment of COPD (bronchodilatans, corticosteroids...);
oxygenotherapy;
and finally lung transplantation.^[2]

Notes

Other asbestos exposure related diseases are:

Links

References

↑ The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). What are High Risk Occupations? [online]. The last revision 2010, [cit. 2011-07-30]. <http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/educational-resources/exposed-to-asbestos/>.
↑ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e KASPER, Dennis L – FAUCI, Anthony S – LONGO, Dan L, et al. Harrison's principles of Internal Medicine. 16th edition. New York : McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc, 2005. 2607 pp. pp. 1522. ISBN 0-07-139140-1.
↑ American Lung Association. Asbestosis [online]. ©2011. The last revision 2011, [cit. 2011-08-06]. <http://www.lungusa.org/lung-disease/asbestosis/>.

4. What is Asbestosis and how to claim for it?

[1] The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). What are High Risk Occupations? [online]. The last revision 2010, [cit. 2011-07-30]. <http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/educational-resources/exposed-to-asbestos/>.

[Harrison-2] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e KASPER, Dennis L – FAUCI, Anthony S – LONGO, Dan L, et al. Harrison's principles of Internal Medicine. 16th edition. New York : McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc, 2005. 2607 pp. pp. 1522. ISBN 0-07-139140-1.

[3] American Lung Association. Asbestosis [online]. ©2011. The last revision 2011, [cit. 2011-08-06]. <http://www.lungusa.org/lung-disease/asbestosis/>.

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