Case Reports Journal Article Epublish
PubMed: 42502726 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2026.102461
A 30-year-old male with innumerable millimetric pulmonary nodules: tunnelling thoughts.
Respir Med Case Rep 63:102461
Authors: Delian E Hofman, Aldo Tanushi, Frits M E Franssen, Lisa M Hillen, Marijke Rutten
Affiliations
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center, MUMC, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Abstract
We report the case of a young Syrian male who presented to the emergency ward with mild exertional dyspnea and centrilobular millimetric pulmonary nodules. Given the broad differential and inconclusive medical history, a comprehensive diagnostic work-up was undertaken. Bronchoscopy with lymph node biopsy revealed a non-specific granuloma, while concurrent infectious screening identified tuberculosis infection (TBI). Further assessment of his occupational history revealed tunnelling work and raised a clinical suspicion for silicosis, an interstitial lung disease caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica dust, which was confirmed by pulmonary biopsy.
MeSH
Biopsy, Work, History