Silico-asbestosis that responded to steroid therapy

Abstract

A 73-year-old man with silico-asbestosis responded to steroid therapy. Chest CT scans showed diffuse micronodular opacities and ground glass opacities bilaterally throughout the entire lung fields, as well as progressive massive fibrosis in the bilateral upper lung fields. Diagnostic thoracoscopic biopsy revealed mixed dust pneumoconiosis with silicotic nodules, as well as fibrosis similar to that of Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP) with many fibroblastic foci and alveolitis. Many asbestos bodies were also detected by iron staining. © 2006 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.