Pneumoconiosis in a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) spray worker: a case report with an occupational hygiene study

BACKGROUND: Using analysis of air samples from the workplace, we report on one case of pneumoconiosis in an individual who has been working in a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) spraying process for 28 years. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was diagnosed with granulomatous lung disease caused by PTFE using computed tomography (CT), lung biopsy and electron microscopy. To assess the qualitative and quantitative exposure to PTFE in workplace, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed on air samples from the workplace. The presence of PTFE particles was confirmed, and the airborne concentration of PTFE was estimated to be 0.75 mg/m3. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates that long-term exposure to PTFE spraying can cause granulomatous lung lesions such as pneumoconiosis; such lesions appear to be caused not by the degradation products of PTFE from high temperatures but by spraying the particles of PTFE. Along with air-sampling analysis, we suggest monitoring the concentration of airborne PTFE particles related to chronic lung disease.

Recurrent Kikuchi's Disease Treated by Hydroxychloroquine / 감염과화학요법

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a benign, self-limiting disease, with a specific histopathology. It can be diagnosed clinically, and specific symptoms include fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. The histological finding of KFD in cervical lymph nodes includes necrotizing lymphadenitis. KFD needs conservative treatments. If KFD persists for a long period, steroids or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs can be used to control symptoms. Previous studies have reported the treatment of KFD with hydroxychloroquine (HC) in patients unresponsive to steroids. Herein, we report a case of a 25-year-old female patient diagnosed with KFD unresponsive to steroids, and was successfully treated with HC.

Aspergillosis of Central Nervous System in Immunocompetent Host / 계명의대학술지

Aspergillosis of the central nervous system from sinonasal origin is rare in immunocompetent hosts. Due to the rarity of the cases in immunocompetent hosts, only few cases are reported in the previous literature. But, some cases reported diversity of clinical presentations in immunocompetent hosts. Aspergillosis of the central nervous system from sinonasal origin, bony invasion with only orbit or cranial base was more common than intracerebral aspergillosis in immunocompetent hosts. In this type of disease, although maxillary sinus is more commonly involved, sphenoid sinus and clivus are unusual sites for aspergillosis of central nervous system. Because of the anatomical position of sphenoid sinus, it is associated with poor prognosis with intracranial extension. We reported a case of the aspergillosis of central nervous system involving clivus in the immunocompetent host who was misdiagnosed as metastatic tumor or plasmacytoma due to the unusual location and host factor.