[Caplan's syndrome in marble workers as occupational disease].

Rheumatoid pneumoconiosis is an uncommon combination of occupational lung disease caused by exposure to harmful silica dust with rheumatoid inflammation of the joints, rheumatoid arthritis, with an autoimmune background. Until now, the disease was observed mostly among coal and gold miners and granite workers. Written documents on the theme are summarized. This case study outlines the syndrome pathology with typical features presented by the worker, employed for many years in the marble industry. Although in general marble is free of silica, the collection of occupational anamnesis and familiarity with the patient's work conditions and demands gave the authors an opportunity to uncover the exposure source and to determine the most probable diagnosis.