Korean J Leg Med.  2012 Nov;36(2):186-189. 10.7580/KoreanJLegMed.2012.36.2.186.

Pulmonary Hemorrhage with Progressive Massive Fibrosis in a Silicosis Patient: An Autopsy Case

• Kyeong HE
• Cheong H
• Kim HJ
• Choi YS

• KMID: 2305480
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7580/KoreanJLegMed.2012.36.2.186

Abstract

Progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) involves extensive fibrosis of the lung and is usually bilateral in nature. This lesion occurs in patients showing silicosis and other pneumoconioses, including asbestosis, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, or mixed dust fibrosis. PMF tends to exacerbate fairly rapidly and may continue to grow even if the dust hazard is removed. It is frequently associated with functional impairment, including reduction in lung compliance, lung volumes, diffusing capacity, and presence of hypoxemia. However, pulmonary hemorrhage is rarely observed along with PMF. We present an autopsy case of a silicosis patient who died as a result of PMF complicated with massive hemoptysis.

Keyword

progressive massive fibrosis; silicosis; pulmonary hemorrhage; hemoptysis

MeSH Terms

Anoxia
Asbestosis
Autopsy
Coal
Dust
Fibrosis
Hemoptysis
Hemorrhage
Humans
Lung
Lung Compliance
Pneumoconiosis
Silicosis
Coal
Dust

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Small bilateral nodules which measured more than 1.0 cm are noted in pleural surface of the upper lobes.

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  Fig. 2 Microscopically, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage is present. There are multiple patchy or nodular fibrosis with dust deposition and chronic inflammatory cells in lung parenchyma (inset). Small pulmonary arteries show medial hypertrophy and fibrosis.

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