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Continuous accumulation of collagen around inhaled silica crystals produces pulmonary fibrotic hyalinized (silicotic) nodules. They present concentric laminated collagen fibers (blue) and tend to become confluent, compressing adjacent alveoli. Silica crystals appear as empty cleft-like spaces. With progression, perivascular and peribronchiolar collagen deposits will produce pulmonary hypertension
- Inhalation of free silica (silicon dioxide) particles causes the formation of small rounded opacities (silicotic nodules) throughout the lung.
- Calcification of the periphery of hilar lymph nodes ("eggshell" calcification)
- Dyspnea and obstructive and restrictive pulmonary dysfunction.
- The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis is increased in patients with silicosis.
- Get a tuberculin skin test and a current chest radiograph.
- Multidrug treatment for tuberculosis (not single-agent preventive therapy) should be started
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