Diagnostic Criteria for Hard Metal Pneumoconiosis

 

Hard metals include tungsten carbide and cobalt.

 

Criteria for hard metal pneumoconiosis:

(1) significant exposure to dust containing hard metals

(2) persistent respiratory findings that include cough and dyspnea on exertion

(3) evidence of interstitial lung disease on chest imaging studies

(4) biopsy evidence of one or both of the following:

(4a) interstitial lung disease with or without honeycombing

(4b) giant cell interstitial pneumonia

(5) presence of the hard metal in lung tissue

 

Hard metal pneumoconiosis may be mixed with other occupational lung diseases.

 

A patient with hard metal pneumoconiosis is at increased risk for developing lung cancer, especially if the person smokes.