A Case of Progressive Massive Fibrosis as Complicated Silicosis

Chung, Hee Soon; Han, Sung Koo; Shim, Young Soo; Kim, Keun Youl; Han, Yong Chol; Park, In Ae; Ham, Eui Keun

doi:1987.34.4.314

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 34(4); 1987 > Article

Case report

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 1987;34(4):314-320.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1987.34.4.314 Published online December 1, 1987.

A Case of Progressive Massive Fibrosis as Complicated Silicosis

Hee Soon Chung¹, Sung Koo Han¹, Young Soo Shim¹, Keun Youl Kim¹, Yong Chol Han¹, In Ae Park², Eui Keun Ham²

¹DePartment of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
²DePartment of Pathology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

규폐증에 합병된 Progressive Massive Fibrosis

정희순¹, 한성구¹, 심영수¹, 김건열¹, 한용철¹, 박인애², 함의근²

Abstract

Progressive massive fibrosis (; PMF) as complicated silicosis is present when conglomerate masses greater than 1 cm diameter are present on the chest radiograph, while silicosis is the name given to the fibrotic disease of the lungs caused by inhalation of dust containing silicon dioxide. Diagnostic difficulties commonly arise at the onset of PMF in excluding carcinoma or tuberculosis, because of similar X-ray findings. Pathologically, silicotic PMF can be definitely diagnosed by demonstration of the birefringent particles under polarized light We report a case of PMF as complicated silicosis in a 67-year old man with dyspnea. The chest radiograph showed mass densities on both upper lung fields with increased interstitial markings and old tuberculous lesions. Clinical diagnosis was lung cancer, but PMF was confirmed by open lung biopsy.