Pneumoconiosis: The Daily PANCE Blueprint
A 55-year-old male presents to the clinic complaining of shortness of breath and trouble breathing. He states that this has been going on for a few months. He used to work as a construction worker when he was younger and was exposed to some “bad stuff” out there. A chest radiograph revealed pleural plaques. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Silicosis
B. Asbestosis
C. Coal miner’s lung
D. Asthma
E. None of the above
Answer and topic summary
The answer is B. Asbestosis
Pneumoconiosis is a group of interstitial lung diseases caused by the inhalation of certain substances leading to an inflammatory reaction within the lung. The most frequently encountered subtypes of pneumoconiosis include silicosis, asbestosis, and coal miner’s lung. Classically the chest radiograph for asbestosis reveals pleural plaques; for silicosis, the radiographs may show up as an eggshell calcification. Pulmonary function tests may show a restrictive ventilatory effect with a reduction in the forced vital capacity (FVC). Sadly there is no cure. The mainstay of treatment is avoiding further exposure to inhalants, smoking cessation, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen, and possibly steroids.
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Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:
Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Pulmonary ⇒ ⇒
Also covered as part of the Internal Medicine EOR topic list
