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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
04:44
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Chronic interstitial pneumonia with honeycombing in coal workers
Anne Brichet1, André Bernard Tonnel, Elizabeth Brambilla
1Département de Pneumologie, Hĵpital A Calmette, Lille, France.
Summary
Coal miners exposed to dust may develop chronic interstitial pneumonia (CIP) with honeycombing, even without classic coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP). This condition presents with severe shortness of breath and crackles, highlighting a potential link between dust exposure and interstitial lung disease.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Medicine
- Pulmonology
- Radiology
Background:
- Coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP) is caused by inhaling coal mine dust.
- This study investigates chronic interstitial pneumonia (CIP) with honeycombing in coal miners, a condition potentially distinct from or associated with CWP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a specific form of interstitial pneumonia in coal miners.
- To alert clinicians to a possible association between coal dust exposure and CIP with honeycombing.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 38 coal miners with unusual clinical criteria for CWP (fine inspiratory crackles, severe dyspnea).
- Utilized clinical examination, chest radiography, computed tomography (CT), lung function tests, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and histopathological analysis of lung specimens.
- Included 32 smokers with an average exposure of 26.7 years.
Main Results:
- 17 miners had finger clubbing; 17 showed radiological signs of CWP.
- CT revealed honeycombing (36/38) and ground-glass opacities (30/38), predominantly in lower lobes.
- Lung function tests indicated a restrictive pattern with decreased diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and hypoxemia.
Conclusions:
- A subset of coal miners may develop chronic interstitial pneumonia (CIP) with honeycombing.
- This condition can occur with or without classical coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP).
- Clinicians should consider coal dust exposure in patients presenting with CIP and honeycombing.
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