[Significance of mineral substances in interstitial lung diseases]

Authors studied on 19 patients with interstitial pulmonary diseases bioptic material from the lungs gained with Hausser -needle especially for mineral components. With energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) in connection with electron microscopy exogen pigments were identified in every case. The pigment deposition proved to be the result of professional dust exposition. The inhaled dusts can be considered as etiologic factors if their source can be demonstrated unanimously, if other pathogens can be excluded and the characteristic tissue reactions can be demonstrated.