Abstract
A 35-year-old male painter presented with left sided pleuritic chest pain and exertional dyspnea. A chest radiograph revealed left pleural effusion with pleural thickening. This condition is suspected to be caused by chronic exposure to zinc dichromate and history of exposure was >13 years. Pleural effusion with pleural thickening can be both benign and malignant. Biopsy remains gold standard investigation for exclusion. Pleural fluid cytology and pleural biopsy revealed lymphocytic pleural effusion with few macrophages in proteinaceous fluid background and negative for malignant cells, which was suggestive of benign chronic inflammatory reaction and exclude any malignant changes. Pleural fluid drained and symptomatic treatment provided and patient counseled. Further follow-up needed to diagnosis early malignant changes.
Highlights
A 35-year-old male painter presented with left sided pleuritic chest pain and exertional dyspnea
Occupational lung diseases are a group of illnesses that are caused by either repeated, extended exposure or a single, severe exposure to irritating or toxic substances that leads to acute or chronic respiratory ailments.[1]
The asbestos fibers or dichromate particles inhaled on a regular basis during occupational exposure, which lodged in the pleura and may cause chronic inflammatory changes
Summary
Occupational lung diseases are a group of illnesses that are caused by either repeated, extended exposure or a single, severe exposure to irritating or toxic substances that leads to acute or chronic respiratory ailments.[1]. Pleural thickening is a lung disease that describes a scarring, calcification, and/or thickening of the pleura (the lining surrounding the lungs) often as a consequence of the inhalation of asbestos, other organic and inorganic dusts into the lungs The asbestos fibers or dichromate particles inhaled on a regular basis during occupational exposure, which lodged in the pleura and may cause chronic inflammatory changes. These chronic inflammatory reactions may lead to fibrosis, scarring, calcification and thickening of the pleura.[5] When the pleura thicken, it reduces the elasticity of the lungs and contributes to a reduced lung function causing symptoms in sufferers such as shortness of breath, and chest pains. Biopsy [Figure 3] showed chronic inflammatory cells and negative for malignancy or granulomatous inflammation
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