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CHRONIC BERYLLIUM INTOXICATION TREATED WITH CORTICOSTEROIDS AND CORTICOTROPIN

Journal Article · · Am. Rev. Respirat. Diseases
OSTI ID:4738987
Four patients with chronic beryllium intoxication were studied in order to test 4 hypotheses proposed for a decrease in pulmonary function as indicated by increased alveolar-arterial oxygen difference, although clinically the patients were improved. All showed relatively little change in pulmonary function when treated orally with increased amounts of corticosteroids, and 2 who received intramuscular corticotropin showed no improvement in pulmonary function. The results indicated that the most likely explanation for the failure of prolonged therapy is that there may be 2 stages in the pulmonary disease associated with chronic beryllium intoxication; the first is reversible by treatment and is characterized by roundcell infiltration and noncaseating granulomas; the second is irreversible and does not respond to treatment, possibly due to fibrotic changes in the lungs. Postmortem studies confirmed the irreversibility of fibrotic pulmonary changes. (TCO)
Research Organization:
Harvard School of Public Health, Boston
NSA Number:
NSA-17-017715
OSTI ID:
4738987
Journal Information:
Am. Rev. Respirat. Diseases, Journal Name: Am. Rev. Respirat. Diseases Vol. Vol: 85
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English

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