Chest wall shrapnel-induced beryllium-sensitization and associated pulmonary disease.

Chest wall shrapnel-induced beryllium-sensitization and associated pulmonary disease. Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis. 2012 Oct;29(2):147-50 Authors: Fireman E, Shai AB, Lerman Y, Topilsky M, Blanc PD, Maier L, Li L, Chandra S, Abraham JM, Fomin I, Aviram G, Abraham JL Abstract Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is an exposure-related granulomatous disease mimicking sarcoidosis. Beryllium exposure-associated disease occurs mainly via inhalation, but skin may also be a source of sensitization. A 65-year-old male with a history of war-related shrapnel wounds was initially diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis. Twenty years later, the possibility of a metal-related etiology for the lung disease was raised. A beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test, elemental analysis of removed shrapnel, and genetic studies were consistent with a diagnosis of CBD. This case demonstrates that retained beryllium-containing foreign bodies can be linked to a pathophysiologic response in the lung consistent with CBD. PMID: 23461078 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Source: Sarcoidosis Vasculitis and Diffuse Lung Diseases - Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis Source Type: research