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berylliosis
Etiology:
1) acute beryllium exposure by inhalation
2) chronic beryllium exposure
Epidemiology:
1) ceramic workers
2) beryllium processors
3) some aerospace workers
4) workers in light bulb or semiconductor factories [2]
Pathology:
1) acute berylliosis
a) tracheobronchitis
b) chemical pneumonitis
2) chronic berylliosis
a) delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction
b) sarcoid-like granulomatous disease
Clinical manifestations: resembles sarcoidosis
Laboratory: beryllium lymphocyte transformation test
Radiology:
1) resembles sarcoidosis
2) chest X-ray:
- predominantly upper lobe interstitial infiltrates
Differential diagnosis: sarcoidosis
Management:
- corticosteroids for symptomatic patients
Related
beryllium [Be]
sarcoidosis
General
occupational lung disease
granulomatous disease
References
- Mayo Internal Medicine Board Review, 1998-99, Prakash UBS (ed)
Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1998, pg 759
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 14,
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2006