Berylliosis
Overview
Berylliosis or chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is an occupational lung disease. It is a chronic allergic-type lung response and chronic lung disease caused by exposure to beryllium and its compounds. The condition is incurable but symptoms can be treated
Symptoms
With single or prolonged exposure by inhalation, the lungs become hypersensitive to beryllium causing the development of small inflammatory nodules, called granulomas. Granulomas are seen in other chronic diseases, such as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and it can occasionally be hard to distinguish berylliosis from these disorders. Ultimately, this process leads to restrictive lung disease, a decreased diffusion capacity. Clinically patients experience cough and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include chest pain, joint aches, weight loss and fever. Rarely, one can get granulomas in other organs including the liver. The onset of symptoms can range from weeks up to tens of years from the initial exposure. In some individuals a single exposure can cause berylliosis.
Diagnosis
Poisonous snakebites: Diagnosis (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)) The patient’s history and account of the injury, observation of fang marks, snake identification (when possible), and progressive symptoms of envenomation all point to poisonous snakebite. Laboratory test results help identify the extent of envenomation and provide guidelines for supportive treatment. Abnormal test results in poisonous snakebites may include: ❑ prolonged bleeding time and partial thromboplastin time ❑ decreased hemoglobin level and hematocrit ❑ sharply decreased platelet count (less than 200,000/mm">3) ❑ urinalysis disclosing hematuria ❑ increased white blood cell count in victims who develop an infection (a snake’s mouth typically contains gram-negative bacteria) ❑ pulmonary edema or emboli as shown on chest X-ray ❑ possibly tachycardia and ectopic heartbeats on the electrocardiogram (usually necessary only in cases of severe envenomation for a patient older than age 40) ❑ possibly abnormal EEG findings in cases of severe envenomation. READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »