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Anthracofibrosis; Bronchial stenosis with overlying anthracotic mucosa: possibly a new occupational lung disorder. A series of seven cases from one UK hospital.

Gareth J Wynn MBChB, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Salford Royal University Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HD United Kingdom; Peter M Turkington MD, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Salford Royal University Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HD United Kingdom; B. Ronan O'Driscoll MD, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Salford Royal University Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HD United Kingdom

ronan.o'driscoll{at}srft.nhs.uk

Abstract

Anthracofibrosis, recently defined as bronchial stenosis with overlying anthracotic mucosa, has been infrequently reported in Asia as a complication of tuberculosis. It has not been reported in the UK or USA or, to our knowledge, in non-Asian patients. We have identified seven cases presenting to a single teaching hospital in the North West of England over a thirteen year period. Only one patient had a history of Tuberculosis (TB) but six of the seven patients had a history of occupational dust exposure including one patient with pneumoconiosis. It is possible that anthracofibrosis is an exaggerated endobronchial form of the much commoner condition of anthracosis in coal miners and other workers with mineral dusts. Our study suggests this is essentially a benign condition although it may progress very slowly, leading to gradually progressive bronchial stenosis. The diagnosis is important because most cases have had clinical, radiological and bronchoscopic changes that were highly suspicious of malignancy.