Baritosis

Baritosis is a benign type of pneumoconiosis, which is caused by long-term exposure to barium dust.

Baritosis
Barium
SpecialtyPulmonology 

Barium has a high radio-opacity and the disease may develop after few months of exposure. Extremely dense, discrete small opacities of 2–4 mm diameter, sometimes of a star-like configuration, are seen on the radiograph. Their distribution is uniform. When they are very numerous, superimposition may give the impression of confluency, but this does not seem to occur in reality. The hilar lymph nodes can be very opaque but not enlarged. After cessation of exposure, there is a gradual clearing of the opacities.

Symptoms and signs

In some cases, it is asymptomatic.

Diagnosis

The barium particles can be seen as opaque shadows on the chest X-rays of people with baritosis. However, being a benign condition, it neither interferes with lung function nor causes symptoms other than a mild cough.

After exposure to barium dust ceases, the X-ray abnormalities gradually resolve.[1]

Treatment

Reference
  1. Doig AT (February 1976). "Baritosis: a benign pneumoconiosis". Thorax. 31 (1): 30–9. doi:10.1136/thx.31.1.30. PMC 470358. PMID 1257935.


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