SIDEROSILICOTIC PNEUMOCONIOSIS, AUTOPSY REPORT OF A CASE.

Abstract

A 33 year old Thai man who worked in an iron-polishing factory (Scrapping rusty iron utensils) He developed progressive respiratory difficulty and died of respiratory failure within 2 years of disease symptom.  Pulmonary tuberculosis was initially diagnosed and treated during the early phase of disease.  The autopsy findings disclosed interstitial and nodular fibrosis in the lungs.  Iron pigments and silica particles were present in the fibrotic areas. Caseatic fibrotic nodules suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis were also noted.

Apparently the disease was related to his occupation.  The role of autopsy to this masked disease is re-emphasized.  Open-lung biopsy is recommended in combination to roentgenographic study diring the early phase of disease in this group of patients.