Document ID (ISN) | 100365 |
CIS number |
02-1238 |
ISSN - Serial title |
0271-3586 - American Journal of Industrial Medicine |
Year |
2000 |
Convention or series no. |
|
Author(s) |
Alkhuja S., Miller A., Mastellone A.J., Markowitz S. |
Title |
Malignant pleural mesothelioma presenting as spontaneous pneumothorax: A case series and review |
Bibliographic information |
Aug. 2000, Vol.38, No.2, p.219-223. Illus. 29 ref. |
Abstract |
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is thought to arise from the mesothelial cells that line the pleural cavities. Most patients initially experience the insidious onset of chest pain or shortness of breath, and it rarely presents as spontaneous pneumothorax. Case reports of four patients who presented in this manner are included. Three of the patients were exposed to asbestos directly or indirectly at shipyards during World War II; the fourth was exposed as an insulator's wife. Two of our cases were not recognized to have MPM on histological examination at first thoracotomy and remained asymptomatic for 12 and 22 months, respectively. In none of the patients was spontaneous pneumothorax the cause of death. Since many people were exposed to asbestos during and after World War II, spontaneous pneumothorax in a patient with the possibility of such exposure should raise the suspicion of malignant pleural mesothelioma. |
Descriptors (primary) |
asbestos; pneumothorax; shipbuilding industry; insulating work; pleural mesothelioma |
Descriptors (secondary) |
case study; symptoms; histology; diagnosis; long-term exposure; dyspnoea |
Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
Country / State or Province | USA |
Subject(s) |
Occupational pathology
|
Broad subject area(s) |
Occupational medicine, epidemiology
|
Browse category(ies) |
Diseases of the respiratory system (except for pneumoconiosis & similar) Asbestos Shipbuliding and ship repair Surface treatment
|