A Case of Giant Cell Interstitial Pneumonia

거대세포 간절성 폐렴(Giant Cell Interstitial Pneumonia) 1예

Giant cell interstitial pneumonia. a synonym for hard metal pneumoconiosis, is a unique form of pulmonary fibrosis resulting from an exposure to hard metal dust. A case of biopsy-proved giant cell interstitial pneumonia in the absence of appropriate history of exposure to hard metal dust is reported. The patient presented with clinical features of chronic interstitial lung disease or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He worked in a chemical laboratory at a fertilizer plant, where he had been exposed to various chemicals such as benzene and toluene. He denied having any other hobby in his house or job at work, which may have exposed him hard metal dust. High-resolution CT scan revealed multi-lobar distribution of ground glass opacity with peripheral and basal lung predominance. The retrieved fluid of bronchoalveolar lavage contained asbestos fiber and showed neutrotphil predominance. Surgical lung biopsy was performed for a definite diagnosis. Lung specimen showed alveolar infiltration of numerous multinucleated giant cells with mild interstitial fibrosis. Upon detailed examination of the lung tissue, one asbestos body was found. An analysis for mineral contents in lung tissue was performed. Compared with the control specimen, the amount of cobalt and several hard metal components in the lung tissue of this patient was ten times higher. We speculated that the inconsistency between occupational history and the findings of pathologic and mineralogical analyses could be explained by the difference in individual immunologic reactivity to hard metal dust despite the relatively small amount of unrecognized environmental exposure(ED: It's hard to understand what this phrase is trying to say).

거대세포성 간질성 폐렴은 경금속 도구를 이용한 절삭, 연마공정에서 발생하는 경금속 분진을 흡입하여 발생하는 산업성 폐질환으로 알려져 있다. 저자들은 이러한 특징적인 경금속분진에 대한 노출력이 없이 발생하였던 거대세포성 간질성 폐렴을 수술적 폐생검과 폐조직내 금속 함유량 분석을 통해 진단하였기에 보고 하는 바이다.