Silicosis - acute

• Illustrations
• Alternative names
• Definition
• Causes, incidence, and risk factors
• Symptoms
• Signs and tests

• Treatment
• Expectations (prognosis)
• Complications
• Calling your health care provider
• Prevention

Alternative names    Return to top

Definition    Return to top

Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling silicon dioxide or crystalline silica dust without adequate protection. Acute silicosis is lung inflammation caused by intense exposure to silica over several months. Chronic silicosis, in contrast, is when lung scarring, nodules, and inflammation develop slowly from decades of exposure to silica dusts.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors    Return to top

The disease occurs mainly in people who work in sandblasting, mining, quarrying, grinding, and those who work in foundries. Silicosis is becoming less common due to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations that require protective equipment.

Symptoms    Return to top

• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Unintentional weight loss

Signs and tests    Return to top

The mucous membranes may have a bluish color (cyanosis). Often, the doctor can hear abnormal lung sounds with a stethoscope.

Possible tests include the following:

• Chest x-ray that may show fluid-filled air spaces and thickening of lung tissue. Nodules are rarely seen (sometimes, an enlarged heart and dilated pulmonary arteries can be seen).
• Pulmonary function tests
• Arterial blood gases that show low concentration of oxygen
• Chest CT scan
• Lung biopsy
• Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)
• Sputum analysis

Treatment    Return to top

There is no specific treatment for silicosis. Whole-lung lavage or treatment with corticosteroids may be attempted. For those with end-stage lung disease, lung transplantation may be an option.

Supportive treatment includes cough suppression medications, bronchodilators, and oxygen if needed for shortness of breath. Antibiotics are prescribed for respiratory infections as needed. In general, silicosis patients should be screened for tuberculosis and treated if indicated.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

The outcome is often rapidly progressive respiratory failure, possibly resulting in death.

Complications    Return to top

A complication is respiratory failure. Patients with silicosis are at increased risk of developing pulmonary tuberculosis.

Calling your health care provider    Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have an occupational exposure to silica and symptoms develop.

Prevention    Return to top

If you work in a high-risk occupation, wear a dust mask and do not smoke. Other protection such as respirators may be needed.