[Pulmonary siderosis in a welder, diagnosis on unusual pneumopathy].

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary siderosis or welder's lung is an occupational lung disease that is usually observed after chronic exposure to iron dust.

OBSERVATION: A 55-years-old welder visited hospital with dyspnea linked to occupational exposure. Pulmonary function studies revealed lung function abnormalities with decerase of FEV1 and TPC. Based on the chest Tomography CT results, he was diagnosed with obliterans bronchiolitis. A chest biopsy was performed and the specimen is for a pulmonary siderosis aspect.

DISCUSSION: This case of pulmonary siderosis is an unusual one by symptoms, CT images and short latency of exposure. An intense inhalation of iron particles could explain this case and inflammatory process and it highlights need of histological analysis of chest biopsy.