Silicosis

silicosis is a type of occupational lung diseases

1. National University, Sudan Faculty Of Medicine - Batch 9 2015-2016

2. Silicosis It is caused by inhalation of dust containing free silica or silicon dioxide The incidence of silicosis depends upon The chemical composition of the dust S ize of the particles D uration of exposure I ndividual susceptibility

3. Types of Silicosis Chronic silicosis After 10 or more years of exposure Accelerated silicosis After 5 to 10 years of exposure Acute silicosis - After weeks or months of exposure

4. Workers at risk in Mining Industries Pottery and Ceramic Industries Iron and Steel Industries Metal Grinding Sand blasting Building and Construction workers Glass manufacture Others

5. Pathogenesis After inhalation of the particles it interact with the epithelial cell and are ingested by macrophages which cause the activation and release of mediators inducing an inflammation, fluid accumulation and tissue fibrosis Silicosis is characterized by a dense ‘’nodular’’ fibrosis in the upper zones of the lungs

6. Clinical Features Irritated cough Dyspnoea on exertion Chest pain Investigation Chest X – ray : fine nodularity in the upper zones of the lung Pulmonary function test Test for tuberculosis

7. Treatment Removing the source of silica exposure Supportive treatment  Antibiotics or anti-TB drugs (if needed) Patients with severe silicosis may need to have a lung transplant.