Interstitial Pneumonitis after Cadmium Exposure: Is it Reversible?

Virendra Singh, Nishtha Singh, Sheetu Singh and Bharat Bhushan Sharma

Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Asthma Bhawan, India
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Asthma Bhawan, India
Department of Chest and Tuberculosis, SMS Medical College, India
SMS Medical College and Hospital, India

^*Correspondance to: Virendra Singh 

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Abstract:

Introduction: Cadmium fume generation, during silver-cadmium alloy formation, is a common occurrence in the silver industry. It can involve various organ systems but its toxic effects have not been widely reported.Case
Presentation: A silver merchant developed respiratory distress and substernal pain after a single exposure to cadmium fumes generated during silver-cadmium alloy formation. Chest X-ray revealed bilateral ground glass haze and computed tomography (CT) also revealed changes suggestive of interstitial pneumonia. Bronchoalveolar lavage was suggestive of increase in the number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Forced vital capacity (FVC) showed a restrictive pattern. Oral prednisolone was initiated on the third day of the illness. FVC repeated at the fourth week showed improvement with return of FVC towards normal. The chest CT scan repeated after six weeks showed complete resolution with no residual fibrosis.Conclusion: Even a single brief episode of cadmium fume exposure can cause rapid onset of pneumonitis. Steroids when started early in course of illness were temporally associated with a good clinical outcome. Definite studies are however required to establish the role of steroids in cadmium fume induced interstitial pneumonitis.

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Cite the Article:

Singh V, Singh N, Singh S, Sharma BB. Interstitial Pneumonitis after Cadmium Exposure: Is it Reversible?. Ann Clin Case Rep. 2016; 1: 1119.