Emine AKSOY, İpek ÖZMEN, Tülay TÖRÜN, Haluk ÇALIŞIR, Reyhan YILDIZ, Peri ARBAK, Hamza OGUN, Elif YILDIRIM

Look closer to welders’ lung

Introduction: Welding produces miscellaneous gases and particles that has various impact on respiratory system and long term exposure may result "welders'lung". The aim of this study is to describe the radiological findings of welders’ and make an awereness forwelders radilogical findings.Materials and Methods: The clinical and radiological findings of welders’ who had hospital applications with respiratory symptomsbetween January 2010-January 2017 were evaluated retrospectively.Results: A total of 16 male welders with mean age 37 ± 8 years had the mean duration of welding occupation 12 ± 7 years. The mostcommon symptoms were coughing (87%), sputum production (63%) and dyspnoea (63%).Thirteen welders were working in shipyards and 3 in construction business and other workplaces. Three (19%) patients had rhonchi on physical examination and thesepatients had decreased FEV1/FVC values below 70% on spirometry. Poorly-defined centrilobular micronodules that were not clearlyvisible on chest radiographs observed on thorax high resolution computed tomography. Bronchoscopy was performed to 7 patients.Iron-positive pigment granules and ferruginous bodies were revealed in 3 patients' bronchoalveolar lavage.Conclusion: Welders' chest X-ray deserve a closer look. In pulmonary radiology, there may be radiographical findings ranging fromsmall ill defined nodules to groundglass opacites. Physcians should look more careful to welders' chest X-ray and incase of suspiciousfindings best can be detected on high HRCT. An awareness for the radiological findings will also reduce interventional procedures inthese patients hereby, occupational history must be included in daily practice of physicians.

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