Bauxite fibrosis

Bauxite fibrosis
Other names	Shaver's disease, Corundum smelter's lung, Bauxite lung or Bauxite smelters' disease, Bauxite pneumoconiosis
Bauxite with unweathered rock core
Specialty	Pulmonology

Bauxite fibrosis is a progressive form of pneumoconiosis usually caused by occupational exposure to bauxite fumes which contain aluminium and silica particulates. ^[1]

It is typically seen in workers involved in the smelting of bauxite to produce corundum. ^[2]

Presentation

Initially, the disease appears as alveolitis, and then progresses to emphysema. ^[3]

Patients may develop pneumothorax (collapsed lung).^{[ citation needed ]}

Diagnosis

Diagnosis depends on chest X-rays, lung function tests, and history.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

1. Tamotsu Takishima (1994-05-23). Basic and Clinical Aspects of Pulmonary Fibrosis. CRC Press. pp. 391–. ISBN   978-0-8493-8927-6.
2. WYATT JP, RIDDELL AC (1949). "The morphology of bauxite-fume pneumoconiosis". Am. J. Pathol. 25 (3): 447–65. PMC   1942907 . PMID   18127135.
3. Lippincott (2012-11-05). Professional Guide to Diseases. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 1200–. ISBN   978-1-4511-7892-0.