RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Pneumoconiosis and systemic sclerosis following 10 years of exposure to polyvinyl chloride dust.
JF Thorax
JO Thorax
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society
SP 583
OP 589
DO 10.1136/thx.50.5.583
VO 50
IS 5
A1 Studnicka, M J
A1 Menzinger, G
A1 Drlicek, M
A1 Maruna, H
A1 Neumann, M G
YR 1995
UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/50/5/583.abstract
AB The case history is presented of a 58 year old man who was exposed to thermoplastic dusts, mainly polyvinyl chloride (PVC), for 10 years. Radiography and high resolution computed tomographic scans of the lungs suggested both pneumoconiotic and scleroderma-like lesions. Transbronchial biopsy revealed foreign body granulomas with macrophages laden with birefringent inclusions which ultrastructurally resembled PVC dust. Biopsy samples of thickened skin showed histological evidence of extensive fibrosis. During follow up Raynaud's phenomenon and oesophageal involvement developed. The antinuclear antibody titre was 1:640, and the Sc1-70 subset was positive. It is concluded that exposure to PVC dust may cause pneumoconiosis and secondary systemic sclerosis.