National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Baritosis


Other Names:
Inhalation of barytes; Deposition of barium in the lungs
Baritosis is an extremely rare, benign form of pneumoconiosis that causes little or no overgrowth, hardening, and/or scarring of the tissue in the lung (fibrosis). Pneumoconiosis is caused by accumulation of inhaled particles and involves a reaction of tissue in the lung.[1] In the case of baritosis, the inhaled particles are made up of barium sulfate and is well described in workers who crush and grind compounds containing barium, a mineral found in paints, paper, ceramics, glass, rubber, electronic components, and in drilling muds in oil and gas exploration.[1] [2]  Baritosis is typically characterized by a mixture of very fine punctate and annular (ring-like) lesions and some slightly larger nodular lesions in the lung. The condition generally appears 1 to 2 years after exposure, does not affect the function of the lung, and appears to go away without treatment after exposure stops.[2]
Last updated: 11/14/2016

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Baritosis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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  1. Chong S, Lee KS, Chung MJ, Han J, Kwon OJ, Kim TS. Pneumoconiosis: Comparison of Imaging and Pathologic Findings. RadioGraphics. 2006; 26(1):http://radiographics.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/26/1/59.
  2. Seaton A, Ruckley VA, Addison J, Rhind Brown W. Silicosis in barium miners. Thorax. 1986; http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=460402&blobtype=pdf.