Department of Statistics, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia

I-Han Cheng is a medical doctor currently pursuing an MSc in Musculoskeletal Science & Medical Engineering at University College London (UCL), Stanmore Campus, London, United Kingdom. With expertise in pediatric asthma management and innovative diagnostic tools, they have contributed significantly to advancing non-invasive methods for respiratory evaluation.

Ritam Kumari is a Senior Resident (OBGYN) working in Ucms and Gtb Hospital New Delhi. She is an active member of AOGD and FOGSI with multiple publications.

Garima Joshi, a Ph.D. scholar at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB). As a senior research fellow, my work centres on mitigating post-acute COVID-19 complications, specifically pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis, using alpha-ketoglutarate supplementation

LOMBO BALUMA Didier
Born in Kisangani, February 19, 1984

Abstract:

Silicosis is a fibrotic type of interstitial lung disease caused by inhalation of free crystalline silicon dioxide or silica. Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust is a major health hazard. Occupational exposure to silica is associated with more severe forms of scleroderma characterized by diffuse cutaneous involvement, fibrotic type of interstitial lung disease, and association with cancer. The author would like to emphasize this occupational lung disease through a case-based discussion.

A middle-aged male working in the sandblasting and stone-cutting industry was brought to the medicine department with skin tightness, dysphagia, and discoloration of the skin for the last 1 year. On examination, he had skin thickening over the face and the extremities with restricted mouth opening. His hands were cold and showed peripheral cyanosis representing Raynaud’s phenomenon. Systemic examination was suggestive of diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis, further confirmed by the antinuclear antibody testing. Further, CT of the chest showed mediastinal lymphadenopathy with eggshell calcification and interstitial fibrosis consistent with silicosis and fibrotic non-specific interstitial pneumonitis. The patient was started on pulse monthly cyclophosphamide for six cycles, and steroids were given for 4 weeks and tapered. Tadalafil and amlodipine were given for his pulmonary artery hypertension and Raynaud’s phenomenon, respectively. This case also highlights the importance of periodic screening of the workers exposed to silica dust to prevent silicosis.

Our patient was exposed to silica for 40 years, making it a possible contributor to the development of systemic sclerosis. Unfortunately, there is no definitive therapy for silica-associated systemic sclerosis apart from managing the organ-specific symptoms and stopping further silica exposure. People exposed to silica at the workplace may be periodically screened using high-resolution CT scan and spirometry. Personal protective equipment must be provided to prevent silicosis as well as silica-associated systemic sclerosis as the disease is irreversible.

Biography:

Dr.Navaneeth S Kamath is a Senior Resident pursuing DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. He has done his MBBS and MD in Internal Medicine from Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal University following which he completed his DNB in Internal Medicine from the National Board of Examinations, India. He has worked as a consultant in Medicine for 18 months in Kasturba Medical College Manipal from 2021-2022 following which he joined CMC Vellore to pursue his DM in Rheumatology.  His areas of expertise include autoimmune diseases and rheumatological ailments. His research interests include Systemic Lupus erythematosus, Scleroderma, Vasculitis, Autoinflammatory disorders, and other connective tissue disorders.