zeolites and Pleural-Diseases

Idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (IPPFE) is a recently described rare condition, characterized by pleural and subpleural parenchymal fibrosis, predominantly in the upper lobes. The clinical course of this disease is progressive and prognosis is poor, with little information regarding the etiology of IIPPFE. This report describes an IPPFE patient with convincing evidence of inhalational dust and suggests that dust exposure should be considered as a new causative factor of IPPFE.

Topics: Aluminum Silicates; Biopsy; Dust; Female; Humans; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis; Inhalation Exposure; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Pleural Diseases; Risk Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed