• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.260-267
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• 2000

Giant cell interstitial pneumonia. a synonym for hard metal pneumoconiosis, is a unique form of pulmonary fibrosis resulting from an exposure to hard metal dust. A case of biopsy-proved giant cell interstitial pneumonia in the absence of appropriate history of exposure to hard metal dust is reported. The patient presented with clinical features of chronic interstitial lung disease or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He worked in a chemical laboratory at a fertilizer plant, where he had been exposed to various chemicals such as benzene and toluene. He denied having any other hobby in his house or job at work, which may have exposed him hard metal dust. High-resolution CT scan revealed multi-lobar distribution of ground glass opacity with peripheral and basal lung predominance. The retrieved fluid of bronchoalveolar lavage contained asbestos fiber and showed neutrotphil predominance. Surgical lung biopsy was performed for a definite diagnosis. Lung specimen showed alveolar infiltration of numerous multinucleated giant cells with mild interstitial fibrosis. Upon detailed examination of the lung tissue, one asbestos body was found. An analysis for mineral contents in lung tissue was performed. Compared with the control specimen, the amount of cobalt and several hard metal components in the lung tissue of this patient was ten times higher. We speculated that the inconsistency between occupational history and the findings of pathologic and mineralogical analyses could be explained by the difference in individual immunologic reactivity to hard metal dust despite the relatively small amount of unrecognized environmental exposure(ED: It's hard to understand what this phrase is trying to say).

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.419-424
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• 2002

A 44 year old man was admitted complaining fo exertional dyspnea. The patient denied any occupational history of hard metal exposure. Chest radiography showed an increased interstitial marking at the peripheral portion of both lower lung fields. The spirometric values were within the normal ranges. However, the diffusion capacity of the lungs was lower. In the bronchial lavage fluid, the characteristic multinucleated giant cells were noticed, and the macrophage compartment was 96% and the neutrophils were 4%. High-resolution CT scan revealed ground glass opacities with emphysematous lung changes at the peripheral portion of the whole lung. An open lung biopsy confirmed the presence of numerous multinucleated giant cells (define GIP) with an associated interstitial fibrosis throughout the lung. The radiographic abnormailities and symptoms subsequently improved following treatment with oral corticosteroids.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.49-49
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• 2003

PMWS is characterised by weight loss and dyspnea combined with pathological findings of interstitial pneumonia and generalized enlarged lymph nodes. Typical histological lesions include multifocal granulomatous pneumonia, and lymphocyte depletion and multinucleated giant cell formation in lymph nodes[1,2]. (omitted)