Histiocytosis X falsely diagnosed as silicosis
Weber-Chappuis, K.; Thorens, B.
Revue Medicale de la Suisse Romande 117(11): 901-905
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-3655 PMID: 9471655 Document Number: 484093
The observation concerns a patient who was professionally exposed to silica dust. Radiologically he presented a diffuse interstitial infiltrate and clinically an obstructive syndrome with emphysem. The diagnosis of silicosis was made. The development was followed during 12 years without important modification of the X-ray or the respiratory functions. The patient died of a ruptured aortic aneurysm. At the autopsy the examination of the lungs permitted to exclude the initial diagnosis of silicosis and to conclude to an histiocytosis X. This diagnostic mistake allows to get on some radiological, clinical and epidemiological aspects, characteristic or these both pathologies.