Radiological changes in pneumoconiosis due to tin oxide

Baritosis: a benign pneumoconiosis.

“…Hilar shadows were not enlarged, there was no mediastinal distortion, no pleural adhesions, and no evidence of pleural thickening with the posible exception of case 4 in whom the horizontal fissure was visible, not necessarily thickened, but this man almost certainly has an atelectatic middle lobe. The appearances of well established baritosis are similar to those of stannosis (Robertson and Whitaker, 1955;Robertson et al, 1961).…”

“…Numerous reports have established the existence of such a benign pneumoconiosis, and Doig and McLaughlin later (1948) showed that the radiological opacities in welder's siderosis might completely disappear by natural removal of the particles once exposure to the iron fume ceased or was considerably reduced. Stannosis due to the inhalation of tin fume or dust is another example of a benign pneumoconiosis (Robertson and Whitaker, 1955). A feature of stannosis compared with siderosis and fibrotic forms of pneumoconiosis is the particular density of the discrete opacities on the x-ray film, this being due to the high radio-opacity of tin (atomic weight 119 compared, for example, with iron 56).…”

Silicosis in barium miners.

“…This condition, baritosis, is benign and unassociated with functional impairment. It may develop within a year or two of first exposure to a very dusty environment, but regresses after exposure ceases.3 In these features it closely resembles stannosis, the benign pneumoconiosis caused by tin oxide.5 6 The striking radiodensity is related to the high atomic weight of barium, while the benign course is probably due to the extreme insolubility and non-Quartz, kaolinite, and mica content ofash recoveredfrom samples of massive fibrosis and analysed by infrared spectrophotometry Seaton, Ruckley, Addison, Rhind Brown toxic nature of the sulphate and carbonate salts; experimental studies have confirmed the lack of a fibrotic response to inhaled barium sulphate.7 In striking contrast to the benign picture of baritosis, the patients we describe had a severe-in two cases fatal-form of pneumoconiosis. Three developed massive fibrosis and one had a progressive simple silicosis.…”

Metal-Induced Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Clinicopathologic Approach

“…48 Despite earlier assertions that the retained radiopaque dusts, like antimony, barium, iron, and tin, are neither toxic, allergenic, nor pathogenic, critical appraisal of this literature leaves room for doubt. [46][47][48][49][50][51] We recommend that a similar clinical approach be taken for patients with radiopaque dustinduced radiographic changes as is taken for patients with other interstitial lung diseases. If a detailed history reveals respiratory symptoms or if pulmonary physiology, including measurements of gas exchange, is abnormal, the patient should proceed to biopsy or, if reluctant, they should at least receive careful follow-up to detect any signs of clinical deterioration.…”