Some pleural effusions labeled as idiopathic could be produced by the inhalation of silica.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Exposure to silica nanoparticles has been associated with pleural effusions (PEs) in animal models and case series. We hypothesized that some PEs labelled as "idiopathic" could, in fact, be secondary to inhalation of silica.

Methods

A retrospective case control study was designed utilizing a prospectively maintained pleural database. Cases, represented by idiopathic PEs, were matched by age and gender to control patients who had been diagnosed with malignant, cardiac, or infectious PEs. A survey consisting of questions about occupational life and possibility of silica inhalation was conducted. In a subgroup of patients, pleural fluid concentrations of silica were quantified by plasma atomic emission spectrometry analysis. Also, the pleural biopsy of a silica-expos

SUBMITTER: Bielsa S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9069498 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature