[Rare pulmonary occupational diseases--importance of microanalytical examination]

In legal proceedings on the subject of occupational diseases concerning comparatively rare pneumoconioses, additional analyses such as energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis (EDX) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) offer decisive information for the pathologist in establishing causal connections between occupational exposure to hazardous substances, foreign particle deposits in lung tissue and pulmonary reaction patterns. Using the example of silver finisher's lung, dental technician's lung and talcosis, the connections between foreign particle deposits in lung tissue and granulomatous and fibrosing pulmonary changes are shown.