Author/Authors :
Saku, Kosuke Department of Cardiovascular Surgery - Tenyokai Central Hospital and Central Clinic, Kagoshima, Japan , Yamamoto, Keisuke Department of Cardiovascular Surgery - Tenyokai Central Hospital and Central Clinic, Kagoshima, Japan , Inoue, Hironori Department of Cardiovascular Surgery - Tenyokai Central Hospital and Central Clinic, Kagoshima, Japan , Ueno, Masahiro Department of Cardiovascular Surgery - Tenyokai Central Hospital and Central Clinic, Kagoshima, Japan
Abstract :
Silicosis is an occupational lung disorder caused by inhalation of silica dust. It not only causes respiratory disorders but also affects
other organs. We report an extremely rare case of silicosis complicated by pericarditis in an 83-year-old male. He had been working
as a coal miner and was diagnosed with silicosis at the age of 63. Because he had experienced repeated pericardial effusions, he was
referred for a surgical pericardial biopsy to elucidate the cause of his repeated pericardial effusion and to perform pericardial
fenestration. Thoracoscopic surgery was performed. The pericardium was resected, and a drain was placed in the left thoracic
cavity. Histopathological examination revealed the pericardial degeneration due to silicosis, suggesting that pericarditis and
pericardial effusion are related to silicosis. The operation was successful, and he experienced no recurrence of pericardial
effusion at the 7-month follow-up.
