- Patients may qualify for industrial injuries benefit
Aetiology
- Deposition of dust particles in small airways
Clinical features
- Breathlessness
- Cough +/- black sputum
Investigations
- Chest X-ray - Fine micronodular shadowing
- Spirometry - Mixed restrictive and obstructive pattern with reduced gas transfer
Complications
- Progressive massive fibrosis
- Large round masses in upper lobes +/- necrotic centres
- May be associated with rheumatoid factor and antinuclear factor
- Respiratory failure
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