Research Information System
Goztepe Tip Dergisi, vol.27, no.3, pp.112-118, 2012 (Scopus)
Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate fiberoptic bronchoscopic signs especially in mine workers with progressive massif fibrosis (PMF) during diagnostic work-up. Material and methods: We evaluated clinical examination, radiological and bronchoscopic data of 22 patients who had worked in coal mines between 2003 and 2006. Results: Medical files of 22 male patients aged between 43 and 83 with a mean age of 66.4±9.37 years were investigated. Fifteen (68.2 %) were smokers. Duration of coal mine exposure was 2I.5±9 years. Six (27.3 %) patients were asymptomatic and the others had mainly coughs, expectoration of sputum and dyspnea. The radiological signs were as follows: PMF (n:22;100 %),fibrotic pattern (n:21;95.4 %), reticular nodules (n:20;90 %), micronodutes (n:17;77.2 %). calsificated hilus node (n:17;77.2 %), interstitial pattern (n:16;72.7 %), pleural thickening (n:16;72.7 %), macro nodules (n:15;68.1 %), bullae and emphysematous areas (n:9;40.9 %), pleural calsi-fications (n:6;27.2 %), and alveolar opacities (n:4;18.1 %). The bronchoscopic signs were bronchial stenosis (77.2 %), scar antracotic deformity of bronchi (72.7 %), diffuse atrophy and pale bronchial mucosa (63.6 %), antracotic plaques (63.6 %), diffuse bronchial inflammatory appearance (50 %), enlarged main and/or lobe carina (40.9 %), black-gray sputum (13.6 %), and bronchial mucosa atrophy (4.5 %). Conclusion: You should keep in mind that during diagnostic work-up of mine workers with PMF, indirect tumor signs can be detected during broncoshoscopic procedures..