Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Systemic chronic beryllium disease: beyond lung disease
Louis Jouanjan1, Gernot Zissel2, Prerana Agarwal3
1Department of Pneumology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany louis.jouanjan@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
Objective:
Systemic involvement in chronic beryllium disease (CBD) has been reported only anecdotally.
Methods:
We describe a case series of six patients with CBD demonstrating systemic involvement across diverse occupational settings.
Results:
All patients had documented occupational beryllium exposure. CBD diagnosis was confirmed by positive histology and lymphocyte proliferation test in all cases. All patients presented with signs of extrapulmonary organ involvement, including hepatic, gastric, neurologic, splenic, ocular, cutaneous, as well as possible cardiac and renal involvement.
Conclusions:
This series underscores the importance of including CBD in the differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis in workers with possible beryllium exposure, even in the presence of extrapulmonary manifestations. Clinicians should maintain awareness of extrapulmonary involvement in patients with CBD.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema
COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
