heroin and Granuloma

Topics: Adult; Biopsy; Fatal Outcome; Female; Granuloma; Heroin; Humans; Lung; Lung Diseases; Microscopy, Electron; Pneumothorax; Radiography; Substance Abuse, Intravenous

A 50-year-old man, a "mainline" heroin abuser for 25 years, with a five-year history of x-ray findings compatible with asbestosis is presented. Multiple open biopsies failed to prove a diagnosis of asbestosis. The microscopic analyses of tissues revealed the presence of granulomatosis, secondary to talc from chronic intravenous heroin abuse. The need for open lung biopsy in establishing a diagnosis is emphasized, as x-ray findings can be and often are misleading. A tissue diagnosis is necessary, particularly in cases in which drug abuse is suspected.

Topics: Asbestosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Granuloma; Heroin; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Lung Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Radiography; Substance-Related Disorders; Talc

Topics: Adult; Bronchography; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Granuloma; Heart Valve Diseases; Heroin; Heroin Dependence; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Injections, Intravenous; Lung; Lung Diseases; Male; Narcotics; Pulmonary Edema; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sepsis; Substance-Related Disorders; Syringes; Talc; Tricuspid Valve; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Topics: Acute Disease; Autopsy; Chronic Disease; Granuloma; Heroin; Humans; Lung; Lung Diseases; Morphine Dependence; Talc

Topics: Adult; Arm; Autopsy; Foreign Bodies; Granuloma; Heroin; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Lung; Lung Diseases; Male; Tablets

Topics: Adult; Amphetamine; Barbiturates; Foreign Bodies; Granuloma; Heroin; Humans; Lung; Lung Diseases; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Pulmonary Embolism; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Adult; Aged; Brain Diseases; Cerebral Cortex; Endocarditis, Bacterial; Female; Fungi; Granuloma; Heroin; Humans; Male; Meningitis; Middle Aged; Morphine Dependence; Substance-Related Disorders