What is Anthracotic pigmentation?

Anthracosis is a kind of pneumoconiosis, and the term of “anthracotic” is related with black pigment, mostly due to carbon particle. Usually the deposition of black pigment is located in the macrophages of the mucosa and submucosa.

Is anthracosis harmful?

The black streaks seen between lobules of lung beneath the pleural surface are due to accumulation of anthracotic pigment. This anthracosis of the lung is not harmful and comes from the carbonaceous material breathed in from dirty air typical of industrialized regions of the planet.

Is anthracosis cancerous?

Anthracosis may damage the bronchial mucosa and impair mucociliary clearance of the bronchi; this can predispose patients to pulmonary infection (Sonnenberg et al., 2000; Castranova et al., 2002). Also, some studies have shown an association between anthracosis and development of lung cancer (Hou et al., 1998), 17.

How is anthracosis diagnosed?

Final diagnosis can be made by bronchoscopy when obtaining samples for tuberculosis (TB), which is the most common disease associated with BAF. Endobronchial ultrasound shows a hypoechoic scattered nodular pattern in adjacent lymph nodes, which is unique to anthracosis.

Is anthracosis curable?

There is no cure. Treatments generally aim to ease symptoms, prevent further damage to your lungs, and improve your quality of life. Your doctor may prescribe medication to keep airways open, such as inhalers, especially if you have asthma symptoms.

How common is anthracosis?

Available data from large series of patients who underwent bronchoscopy for other reasons have shown the frequency of simple anthracosis to be 3.4 – 21% (11, 12). This rate was 0.1-22.5 for BAF (13, 14) (cumulated means 5.7%) (Table 1).

What is another term for empyema?

Medical Definition of empyema : the presence of pus in a bodily cavity (as the pleural cavity) — called also pyothorax.

What are the causes of anthracosis?

Anthracosis (anthrac- meaning coal, carbon + -osis meaning condition) is defined in Bioline as, “the asymptomatic, milder type of pneumoconiosis as caused by the accumulation of carbon in the lungs due to repeated exposure to air pollution or inhalation of smoke or coal dust particles” (1).