HARD METAL LUNG-DISEASE AND PNEUMOTHORAX

This case report describes a case of spontaneous pneumothorax in a met al grinder that failed to resolve with medical management. A lung biop sy taken during the subsequent thoracotomy revealed changes that were characteristic of giant cell interstitial pneumonia, as seen in hard m etal disease. Pneumothorax has been described in many forms of interst itial lung disease but not in this type of occupational disease. Aware ness of this possible association can result in: (1) the removal of an affected worker from his adverse work environment before advanced dis ease develops; and (2) the safe control of the work environment, to th e advantage of other similarly exposed workers.