TY - JOUR T1 - A case of indium lung proven by surgical lung biopsy and electron probe microanalysis JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 44 IS - Suppl 58 SP - P4152 AU - Hiroaki Tsukamoto AU - Tetsuji Kawamura AU - Yasutaka Onishi AU - Sachiko Shiraishi AU - Tomohiro Kato AU - Rinko Katsuta AU - Ryogo Kagami AU - Kenji Hanaoka AU - Yasuyuki Mizumori AU - Yoko Yokoi AU - Akie Morimoto AU - Shin Sasaki AU - Yasuharu Nakahara AU - Yoshiro Mochizuki AU - Yoichiro Kobashi Y1 - 2014/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P4152.abstract N2 - <Background>Indium tin oxide (ITO) is necessary for the manufacture of liquid-crystal displays. Pulmonary disease caused by ITO (indium lung) has been published in several reports. Here we present a case of indium lung in a young male diagnosed by surgical lung biopsy and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) of intrapulmonary metal deposits.<Case presentation>A 39 year old current smoker (21 pack years), who worked as an engineer in a liquid-crystal display factory and engaged in ITO-grinding work for 18 years, was introduced to our hospital because of a high serum indium level (16.87mg/L) at a health check.He had no abnormal symptoms, and laboratory tests were normal other than a slight elevation in KL-6 (593 U/ml). Pulmonary function tests revealed low FEV1/ FVC (48.2%) and low diffusion capacity (63.4% predicted). Chest CT showed diffuse emphysema and mild interstitial abnormalities in the lower lung field. A thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed and histopathology revealed centrilobular fibrosis with metal deposits, cholesterol clefts and foreign body giant cells. Emphysematous tissue was also observed, but considered not to be due to tobacco smoking. The presence of indium and tin in the lung tissue was demonstrated by EPMA.<Conclusion>Lung biopsy and EPMA are reliable methods in the diagnosis of indium lung. ER -