chalicosis
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{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name = Chalicosis
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| field = Respirology
| synonyms = Flint disease
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Chalicosis is a form of pneumoconiosis affecting the lungs or bronchioles, found mainly among stonecutters.{{Cite journal |last=Betts |first=Wm. Winthrop |date=1900-01-13 |title=Chalicosis Pulmonum or Chronic Interstitial Pneumonia Induced by Stone Dust |url=http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?doi=10.1001/jama.1900.24610020006002a |journal=JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association |language=en |volume=XXXIV |issue=2 |pages=70 |doi=10.1001/jama.1900.24610020006002a |issn=0098-7484}} The disease is caused by the inhalation of fine particles of stone.{{cite web |url=https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/chalicosis |title=The Free Medical Dictionary:chalicosis }} The term is from Greek, χάλιξ, gravel.
Risk factors
Occupations with significant exposure to stone dust are at an increased risk of chalicosis include:
- Millers{{cite web | title=Chalicosis | website=wikidoc | date=November 19, 2018 |url=https://www.wikidoc.org/index.php/Chalicosis | access-date=January 22, 2024}}
- Miners
- Stone cutters and stone masons{{cite journal |last1=Fine |first1=M. James |last2=Jaso |first2=James V. |title=Silicosis and primary carcinoma of the bronchus |journal=JAMA |date=January 5, 1935 |volume=104 |issue=1 |pages=40–43 |doi=10.1001/jama.1935.02760010042008}}
- Quarry workers
- Pottery and porcelain casters
- Tunneller/tunnel workers
- Foundry workers
- Plasterers
Signs and symptoms
Treatment and Prevention
There is no definitive cure for chalicosis,{{cite web | last=Kerkar | first=Pramod | title=Chalicosis or Flint's Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention | website=Epainassist - Useful Information for Better Health | date=October 4, 2014 |url=https://www.epainassist.com/chest-pain/lungs/chalicosis-or-flints-disease | access-date=January 22, 2024}} nor is there a specific targeted therapy. Current treatment of this lung disorder primarily involves managing respiratory symptoms, associated comorbidities, and complications, with the overarching goal of enhancing the patient's quality of life. These include:
= Acute pharmacotherapies =
- Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that can be used for acute management of chalicotic symptoms.They are not recommended for chronic management.
= Chronic pharmacotherapies =
- Whole lung lavage uses saline solution to wash out lodged particles in the lungs.
- Bronchodilators dilate the bronchi and bronchioles to increase airflow to the lungs.
- Oxygen therapy or supplemental oxygen is a medical treatment that provides extra oxygen, often to prevent complications of chronic hypoxemia.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation is a therapeutic concept which utilizes a series of services to aid improved breathing.
- Antifibrotics.
- Smoking cessation.
- Lung transplantation is a last resort in which one lung, both, or damaged lung tissue are replaced with a donor during a surgical procedure.
References
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External links
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| ICD10 = {{ICD10|J|62|8|j|60}}
| ICD9 = {{ICD9|502}}
| SNOMED CT = 44547005
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{{Respiratory pathology}}{{Occupational safety and health}}