Fact-sheet: Silicosis
Updated on 09/17/2021 at 12:16 PM
View all RADEOS cases associated with this fact-sheet
Definition
Pneumoconiosis caused by inhalation of silicon dioxide.
Possible association with rheumatoid arthritis (
Caplan-Colinet syndrome), scleroderma (Erasmus syndrome), SLE, Sjögren syndrome, or dermatomyositis.
- Acute form: intense silica exposure, with a severe and rapid clinical, radiologic, and functional course in less than 5 years.
- Chronic form
CT
ACUTE FORM:
- rapidly developing interstitial syndrome
- rapidly enlarging pseudotumoral silicotic masses
- frequent nodal or nodular calcifications.
CHRONIC FORM:
- micronodules that may be subpleural, interstitial, or peribronchovascular, initially predominating in the upper lobes with a tendency to coalesce, nodules and masses.
- emphysema.
- hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy with classic "eggshell" nodal calcifications.
- may progress to the formation of large opacities and fibrotic masses
- possible necrosis of pseudotumoral masses
Differential diagnosis
Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (similar appearance)
