Silicosis- A Case report

Silicosis is a common occupational lung disease in our country which is caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica dust. Silica is the most abundant mineral in the mines of Jharkhand. Workers that are involved in constructions, mining, tunnel drilling, sand blasting, pottery industry or glass industry are highest risk of developing this disease. Acute silicosis cases presented with severe symptoms like cough exertional dyspnea, breathlessness, chest pain. In chronic silicosis patient are asymptomatic for several years (10-15 yrs) and simply present with minor RTI symptom. It is usually diagnosed on radiographic (x-ray chest PA View) findings like calcifications of perihilar lymph nodes, diffuse ground glass opacities, large numbers of rounded, solitary nodules or bigger, confluent opacities (Egg cell calcification). Silicosis in combination with Rheumatoid arthritis (caplan syndrome) with rapid development of basilar nodules and mild obstruction of ventilation.(16) Silicosis patient has increase risk of tuberculosis and lung cancer. Once it develops is not curable and only symptomatic treatment can be given. So prevention and control programme for silicosis is beneficial. Acute silicosis having very poor and chronic-poor prognosis.